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
-
One can see why wrestling appealed to him—the crowd is everything, the rules mean nothing, and the referees are so feckless that they often get knocked out and everyone laughs.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
To maintain the integrity of the game, the matches were closely watched by referees who halted them because of poor timing or form.—
Brian Cheung,
NBC news,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the same time, Reisz said, lawyers are pushing judges who oversee the cases to act swiftly, since interminable procedural delays ensure people remain incarcerated.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The remaining judges saw their caseloads balloon.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps pitchers and umpires are simply adjusting to the new technology, and by midsummer any early kinks will be forgotten.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
So why do it that way instead of how umpires have historically constructed their zones?—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrators. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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