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
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
Foreign investors view the involvement of independent arbitrators as crucial to guard against future expropriation.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 11 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
After the teams exchange salary figures, a hearing is held before a panel of arbitrators.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
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
Foreign investors view the involvement of independent arbitrators as crucial to guard against future expropriation.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 11 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
After the teams exchange salary figures, a hearing is held before a panel of arbitrators.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrators
Noun
-
Decked in bold colors and never shy to dress down referees in a heated moment, Mulkey won national titles at Baylor in 2005, 2012 and 2019 at LSU in 2023.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Then Santa Clara coach Herb Sendek tried calling timeout to set up the team’s defense, but the referees apparently missed it.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The foundation’s judges and awards subcommittee members – the latter a volunteer group of industry professionals, academics, writers and reviewers that changes every year – also search on their own.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Confusion ensued among the umpires.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Human umpires still make every call on the field.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrators. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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