as in referees
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
the dean of student affairs is the proper arbiter when a student disputes a grade
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of arbiters
And right-wing politicians who accuse pro-Palestinian students of antisemitism are hardly credible arbiters.
—
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
For decades, brands have been the arbiters and gatekeepers of style.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
The 2000 Kids' Choice Awards actually had four cohosts serving as arbiters of the main emcee, Rosie O'Donnell.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
If Big Tech companies become the arbiters of training and credentialing, universities risk losing even more ground in the race to remain relevant.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The All England Club's decision to jettison line judges in favour of technology carries an air of inevitability as the world embraces AI but the human arbiters of the boundaries of the tennis court are hoping to continue playing a key role.
—Shrivathsa Sridhar, Reuters, 27 June 2025
The Academy Awards are not the final arbiters of taste, artistry or even cultural impact.
—Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Government lawyers aren’t the final arbiters on what’s legal.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
However, a hard truth for Elon Musk to face may be that X users are largely incapable of discerning facts without relying on traditional fact-checking organizations that Musk disagrees should be the sole arbiters of truth online.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
For decades, brands have been the arbiters and gatekeepers of style.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
The 2000 Kids' Choice Awards actually had four cohosts serving as arbiters of the main emcee, Rosie O'Donnell.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
If Big Tech companies become the arbiters of training and credentialing, universities risk losing even more ground in the race to remain relevant.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The All England Club's decision to jettison line judges in favour of technology carries an air of inevitability as the world embraces AI but the human arbiters of the boundaries of the tennis court are hoping to continue playing a key role.
—Shrivathsa Sridhar, Reuters, 27 June 2025
The Academy Awards are not the final arbiters of taste, artistry or even cultural impact.
—Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025
Government lawyers aren’t the final arbiters on what’s legal.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
However, a hard truth for Elon Musk to face may be that X users are largely incapable of discerning facts without relying on traditional fact-checking organizations that Musk disagrees should be the sole arbiters of truth online.
—Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
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The league announced a partnership Friday with the Chinese Basketball Association to help support the development of elite Chinese players, coaches and referees.—
Jessica Golden,Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
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The referees put themselves in a spotlight with a few tough calls, but the Chiefs put themselves squarely in it, too.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rings will be awarded to 25 creators chosen by a panel of judges that includes company head Adam Mosseri, filmmaker Spike Lee, YouTuber Marques Brownlee (aka MKBHD), and rugby star Ilona Maher, among others.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
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The incident has sparked debate on social media, along with broader discussions about the climate of hostility toward judges.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, as the umpires left Wrigley Field on the first-base side — through the Padres' dugout — several members of San Diego had to be held back after going crazy on the men in black.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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This zone is crucial for pitch framing, where catchers use their presentation to influence umpires into calling borderline pitches strikes.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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