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
The writers are the definitive arbiters of what is being said.
—
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The arbiters of news were very connected to the people around them in a community.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The arbiters of news were very connected to the people around them in a community.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
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Gordon said referees never gave him an explanation.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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This time, however, Barrymore revived the segment with a few additions, most notably a golden ping-pong trophy, sweatbands, and referees Ross Mathews and Sunny Anderson asking all the spicy questions.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Since its 2005 premiere, longtime judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman — who died of bone cancer in 2023 and was replaced with former DWTS pro Derek Hough — critique the dance numbers.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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Leavitt and Ballas have received immunity from the relay round, plus two bonus points, for having the top scores in the individual dance round last week and for their cumulative judges' totals all season.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The game will feature the Poway Padres playing alongside members of the Poway Sheriff’s Station and the Poway Fire Department, with Mayor Steve Vaus and Poway City Council members serving as umpires.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
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For the contemporary era, there are two separate ballots for players and managers, executives and umpires.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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