as in referees
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
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Recent Examples of arbitrators
But an 1899 decision by arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the United States drew the border along the Essequibo River largely in favor of Guyana.
—
Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
But an 1899 decision by arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the United States drew the border along the Essequibo River largely in favor of Guyana.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Employers — and ultimately their workers — cannot pay the bills that the arbitrators are awarding.
—James Gelfand, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
The Federal Arbitration Act and other laws instruct judges to give substantial deference to arbitrators.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Most people believe justice happens in the courtroom, where neutral arbitrators weigh facts before the public.
—Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Over the course of a single day, multiple cases unfold as claimants and defendants face off with the support of barristers and independent arbitrators.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
In 46% of those cases, arbitrators ordered police agencies to rehire officers who had been fired.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Skubal’s salary was decided by a three-person panel of independent arbitrators after a Wednesday hearing in Arizona.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
But an 1899 decision by arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the United States drew the border along the Essequibo River largely in favor of Guyana.
—ABC News, 10 May 2026
Employers — and ultimately their workers — cannot pay the bills that the arbitrators are awarding.
—James Gelfand, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
The Federal Arbitration Act and other laws instruct judges to give substantial deference to arbitrators.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Most people believe justice happens in the courtroom, where neutral arbitrators weigh facts before the public.
—Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Over the course of a single day, multiple cases unfold as claimants and defendants face off with the support of barristers and independent arbitrators.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
In 46% of those cases, arbitrators ordered police agencies to rehire officers who had been fired.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Skubal’s salary was decided by a three-person panel of independent arbitrators after a Wednesday hearing in Arizona.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrators
Noun
-
Over days, referees compared petition signatures against photocopies — generally years-old signatures from when voters first registered.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
After a long video review, the referees apparently couldn’t confirm that Manson actually landed the butt-end.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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From legislation to the confirmation of federal judges who decide constitutional questions, those policy outcomes start with election results.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
For decades, regulators and judges have also successfully forced pharmaceutical manufacturers to attend to the addictiveness of opioids and other pain relief medicines.—
Olivier Sylvain,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The umpires alert all players as Royals bench coach Paul Hoover places a phone call.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
He was also remembered for his cartoonish crashouts and the 141 times umpires ejected him during his Braves tenure.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrators. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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