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
Johnston’s proposal originally abolished the city’s parking magistrates, eliminating any non-court options for residents who want to appeal their ticket.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for magistrates
Noun
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Since its 2005 premiere, longtime judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman — who died of bone cancer in 2023 and was replaced with former DWTS pro Derek Hough — critique the dance numbers.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
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Leavitt and Ballas have received immunity from the relay round, plus two bonus points, for having the top scores in the individual dance round last week and for their cumulative judges' totals all season.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Davis' arguments have already been rejected by lower courts.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Owners also have access to Ascaya’s lengthy roster of amenities, which includes a 23,000-square-foot clubhouse, a resort-style pool, fitness and yoga studios, tennis and pickleball courts, a family park, and scenic hiking trails.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Magistrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/magistrates. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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