as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
the couple finally agreed to let the salesclerk be the final arbitrator and tell them which shirt looked best
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arbitrator
An arbitrator awarded nearly $400,000 to nurses who work in a pediatric ICU unit at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital due to chronic overstaffing, according to the New York State Nurses Association.
—
Christina Fan, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
The arbitrator noted that the goal of the guidelines is to maintain the focus of the Olympic Games on performances and sport.
—Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
The arbitration ruling can generally only be reversed if the arbitrator takes a bribe or something similar.
—Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Brian Miller, who was fired in June 2019 for hiding behind his car as the first shots rang out at the school, got his job back with back pay less than a year later after an arbitrator ruled in his favor.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrator
Christina Fan, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
The arbitrator noted that the goal of the guidelines is to maintain the focus of the Olympic Games on performances and sport.
—Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
The arbitration ruling can generally only be reversed if the arbitrator takes a bribe or something similar.
—Christopher A. Combs, AZCentral.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Brian Miller, who was fired in June 2019 for hiding behind his car as the first shots rang out at the school, got his job back with back pay less than a year later after an arbitrator ruled in his favor.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrator
Noun
-
Batson, an early employee of Mozilla who had played for Augusta Arsenal in Georgia before becoming a referee, came to his job after a chance encounter with US Soccer’s board chair on an Amtrak train.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In boxing, the referee either counts out the fighter or stops the contest.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The judge expressed disbelief in a 66-page opinion.—
Steve Karnowski,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Cash told the judge that the loitering charge is discriminatory against homeless people and should be dropped.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the umpires awkwardly walked off the field, and while each side’s dugout glanced around for confirmation, the Surprise Stadium public address announcer made the call.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Challenges must be made immediately after the umpire’s call.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrator. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
