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
Judges are obligated to give high deference to arbitrators and are expected to uphold awards so long as the award was not procured by fraud and the arbitrator didn’t fail to consider relevant evidence or follow basic legal principles.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 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.
—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
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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 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.
—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
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
-
Looking back, the final is marked out by intentional fouling, the first red card in a World Cup final and plenty of simulation, including diving – a ploy players use to deceive referees and get a favorable call.—
Cesar R. Torres,
The Conversation,
26 May 2026
-
An assumption has taken hold that referees have stopped making decisions and become reliant on the safety net of VAR.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2026, from a field of thousands of entries spanning every major whisky-producing nation, the judges awarded exactly 726 medals across the whisky and whiskey categories.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
In practice, reformers say, bail amounts have largely been set by vibes, with judges given broad leeway to use discretion.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
After conferring, the umpires agreed, ruling her out.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
Nor does Moeller have to confer with the umpires’ crew chief over lightning in the area or forecasted rain that might halt play in the middle innings.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrators. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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