as in judges
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
chose to take their case before the local magistrate
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Recent Examples of magistrates
North Carolina’s Speaker of the House, Republican Destin Hall, sponsored the Pretrial Integrity Act that in 2023 limited magistrates’ ability to set conditions of release.
—
Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
On June 1, commemorating one year since his unconstitutional reelection, Bukele appeared on national television from the National Theater, surrounded by his deputies, his loyal magistrates and prosecutor, and many soldiers.
—Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
Then her latest statement took a different tack and blamed courts and magistrates for allowing repeat offenders to remain on the streets.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Stokes, appointed and supervised by the chief district judge in Mecklenburg County, is not a licensed attorney or a member of the North Carolina State Bar, although magistrates in the state are not required to be.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
But the evidence of Abrego Garcia’s gang ties remains limited, and has been called into question by immigration judges, magistrates and district court judges.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
In 2021, when Bukele's party gained a two-thirds majority in the Assembly, lawmakers removed and replaced all five Constitutional Chamber magistrates and the attorney general, who was investigating government officials for corruption and negotiations with gangs.
—Juanita Goebertus, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
On June 1, commemorating one year since his unconstitutional reelection, Bukele appeared on national television from the National Theater, surrounded by his deputies, his loyal magistrates and prosecutor, and many soldiers.
—Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025
Then her latest statement took a different tack and blamed courts and magistrates for allowing repeat offenders to remain on the streets.
—Wesley Bruer, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Stokes, appointed and supervised by the chief district judge in Mecklenburg County, is not a licensed attorney or a member of the North Carolina State Bar, although magistrates in the state are not required to be.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
But the evidence of Abrego Garcia’s gang ties remains limited, and has been called into question by immigration judges, magistrates and district court judges.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
In 2021, when Bukele's party gained a two-thirds majority in the Assembly, lawmakers removed and replaced all five Constitutional Chamber magistrates and the attorney general, who was investigating government officials for corruption and negotiations with gangs.
—Juanita Goebertus, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for magistrates
Noun
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The performance drew praise for its elegance and control, with judges highlighting Efron’s growing command of ballroom technique.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Federal judges aren’t required to follow guidelines.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors appealed the ruling, and a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit — which oversees lower courts in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana — affirmed the decision, 2-1, in June 2017, a further win for Dassey.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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While the Oscar winner officially filed for divorce in Nashville courts on Tuesday, news of their separation came to light the day prior.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Magistrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/magistrates. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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