adjudicate

verb

ad·​ju·​di·​cate ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkāt How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjudicated; adjudicating
Synonyms of adjudicate

transitive verb

: to make an official decision about who is right in (a dispute) : to settle judicially
The school board will adjudicate claims made against teachers.

intransitive verb

: to act as judge
The court can adjudicate on this dispute.
adjudicative
ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkā-tiv How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
-kə-
adjective
adjudicator
ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
noun
adjudicatory
ə-ˈjü-di-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjective

Did you know?

Adjudicate, which is usually used to mean “to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute,” is one of several terms that give testimony to the influence of jus, the Latin word for “law,” on our legal language. Others include judgment, judicial, prejudice, jury, justice, injury, and perjury. What’s the verdict? Latin “law” words frequently preside in English-speaking courtrooms.

Synonyms of adjudicate

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Examples of adjudicate in a Sentence

The board will adjudicate claims made against teachers. The case was adjudicated in the state courts. The board will adjudicate when claims are made against teachers.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In New York, on the other hand, a neutral third party determines eligibility and adjudicates payouts. — Jacob Lederman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 While some people had ongoing charges and declined to speak until their cases were adjudicated, others had already been convicted and were willing to talk because double jeopardy protected them from being charged a second time. — Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 And when adjudicating this kind of accident, the courts tend to favor lenience. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Autonomy, in both framings, is adjudicated by a physician, verified at the bedside. — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adjudicate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin adjūdicātus, past participle of adjūdicāre "to adjudge"

First Known Use

circa 1695, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of adjudicate was circa 1695

Rhymes for adjudicate

See All Rhymes for adjudicate

Browse Nearby Words

adjudicataire
adjudicate
adjudicatio
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Adjudicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjudicate. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adjudicate

verb
ad·​ju·​di·​cate ə-ˈjüd-i-ˌkāt How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjudicated; adjudicating
: to decide, award, or sentence judicially
adjudicate a claim
adjudication
-ˌjüd-i-ˈkā-shən
noun

Legal Definition

adjudicate

verb
ad·​ju·​di·​cate ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkāt How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjudicated; adjudicating

transitive verb

1
: to settle either finally or temporarily (the rights and duties of the parties to a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding) on the merits of the issues raised
2
: to pass judgment on as a judge : settle judicially
3
: to pronounce judicially to be
was adjudicated a bankrupt
was adjudicated the child's father
4
: to convey by judicial sale

intransitive verb

: to come to a judicial decision : act as judge
the court adjudicated upon the case
adjudication
ə-ˌjü-di-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
noun
adjudicative
ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkā-tiv, -kə-
noun
adjudicator
-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
noun
Etymology

Latin adjudicare to award in judgment, from ad to, for + judicare to judge see judge

More from Merriam-Webster on adjudicate

Nglish: Translation of adjudicate for Spanish Speakers

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