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
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 arbitrators
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
Ryan’s 2026 salary will likely be settled by a panel by arbitrators in the coming weeks.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The player and club will then go to a hearing and make their case before a panel of arbitrators, who will choose either the player’s figure or the team’s figure, but nothing in between.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Those will go to a panel of five arbitrators appointed by the council.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Range’s filing nods to findings of CAA losing the case, with arbitrators concluding that its noncompetes are invalid.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
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
Ryan’s 2026 salary will likely be settled by a panel by arbitrators in the coming weeks.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The player and club will then go to a hearing and make their case before a panel of arbitrators, who will choose either the player’s figure or the team’s figure, but nothing in between.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Those will go to a panel of five arbitrators appointed by the council.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Range’s filing nods to findings of CAA losing the case, with arbitrators concluding that its noncompetes are invalid.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrators
Noun
-
But now, inevitably, some referees jazz up their announcements.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The student section was starting to storm the floor before referees ruled the ball had gone out of bounds off Oak Forest with two seconds left, giving the Hawks the ball on the baseline.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Judicial warrants are issued by judges when they are presented with probable cause and allow law enforcement officers to enter and search a person's residence.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
This decision has led city councils to adopt new ordinances, judges to adjust their advisements for defendants and prosecutors and defense attorneys to negotiate plea deals under new guidelines.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ivy League for umpires This school prepared more umpires for professional baseball than all the other schools combined.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The hardest part of being a catcher is adjusting to the different pitchers and different umpires.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrators. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
