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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of arbiters
Just as decisions should be devolved to the smallest competent unit rather than centralized bureaucracies, customers — as the ultimate arbiters of value — must be empowered to judge what truly serves their needs and dignity.
—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Moreover, clinicians are winning more than 70% of IDR disputes because independent arbiters recognize that insurers are underpaying.
—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
11 Apr. 2026
Later, criticism also came from arbiters of high modernism, such as Clement Greenberg, who wrote off New Deal art as kitsch for the masses.
—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Are the corporations that release the powerful technology the arbiters of their fate?
—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Judges here run in partisan elections but are expected to be neutral arbiters on the bench.
—
Charlotte Observer,
16 Feb. 2026
What explains the loss of poise and dignity among the traditional arbiters?
—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Appoint a Book Club Editor in Chief I’m all for democracy, but there’s still a place for arbiters of taste.
—
Lauren Mechling,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
The idea of them working together was born out of friendship, said Capaldo, adding that there are many parallels between the trajectories of the two brands, dressing and engaging with cultural arbiters of their respective times.
—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
17 Dec. 2025
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Moreover, clinicians are winning more than 70% of IDR disputes because independent arbiters recognize that insurers are underpaying.
—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
11 Apr. 2026
Later, criticism also came from arbiters of high modernism, such as Clement Greenberg, who wrote off New Deal art as kitsch for the masses.
—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
Are the corporations that release the powerful technology the arbiters of their fate?
—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Judges here run in partisan elections but are expected to be neutral arbiters on the bench.
—
Charlotte Observer,
16 Feb. 2026
What explains the loss of poise and dignity among the traditional arbiters?
—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Appoint a Book Club Editor in Chief I’m all for democracy, but there’s still a place for arbiters of taste.
—
Lauren Mechling,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
The idea of them working together was born out of friendship, said Capaldo, adding that there are many parallels between the trajectories of the two brands, dressing and engaging with cultural arbiters of their respective times.
—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
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The president participated in the trophy presentation and handed out awards to the players and referees after Chelsea won the match.
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Initially, the referees ruled Freeman had been offside.
Noun
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At least 17 cases are still pending, with judges denying defense dismissal motions in several of them.
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Andrade landed her double-twisting Yurchenko vault cleanly with a small step, earning a massive score from the judges.
Noun
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Only two umpires will be present for the start of the Texas Rangers vs San Diego Padres game at Globe Life Field because of weather and travel issues in Dallas-Fort Worth on Friday.
-
The umpires conferred and spoke with Venable, who seemed puzzled by the inquisition.
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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