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 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
Government lawyers aren’t the final arbiters on what’s legal.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
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
Government lawyers aren’t the final arbiters on what’s legal.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
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But after conferencing, referees Garrett Rank and Gord Dwyer ruled that former Wild Justin Brazeau interfered with Gustavsson.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Fox News Digital reached out to the Broncos, the NFL and the NFL referees association for comment on Surtain’s theory.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The co-hosts announced the results —a combination of judges' scores and live votes — in no particular order.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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All four judges — Cheryl Burke was a guest judge — awarded the duo 8s for a total of 32.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As Iglesias got close to the umps, the 57-year-old bespectacled manager pivoted and pulled Iglesias back, moved in front of him and held his ground while Iglesias and now Bogaerts shouted at the umpires.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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This led to a heated interaction between Padres players and the umpires.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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