arbiter

noun

ˈär-bə-tər How to pronounce arbiter (audio)
Definition of arbiternext
as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy the dean of student affairs is the proper arbiter when a student disputes a grade

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of arbiter The film reviewing account has lent itself to Charli’s overt styling of herself as an arbiter of taste and an unabashed fan of pop culture. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 Over the past six months, Fedorov and Syrsky frequently took their complaints about each other to the arbiter in their disagreements, President Volodymyr Zelensky. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 The jet stream – the ultimate arbiter of day-to-day weather – dictates where warmer air and cooler air are allowed to settle across North America. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 In an television age where genre seems increasingly like a suggestion rather than a hard-and-fast rule, the Emmys are often the lone arbiter of whether a show is essentially a drama or a comedy. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
  1. referee
  2. judge
  3. umpire
  4. arbitrator
Noun
  • Once the contest was underway, Perrin began livestreaming on Instagram while simultaneously refereeing the matches, making her the organizer, referee and camera operator all at once.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After terrorizing that one kid, the bird reportedly went after a few other teenage footballers to the point that the referee had to put the match on hold.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of referee
Noun
  • The judge believes the defendant tried to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses ahead of a trial scheduled for next year.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Amid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of judge
Noun
  • After a brief huddle by the umpires, plate ump and crew chief Alan Porter ejected Martin without any warning issued.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The umpires deliberated, then crew chief Chris Guccione spoke separately with Blue Jays manager John Schneider and Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of umpire
Noun
  • Health-care providers were awarded nearly $15 billion last year from arbitrators called in to settle medical billing disputes, more than triple the amount in 2024.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The arbitrator who oversaw those talks ruled that CPD officers, as public employees in a collective bargaining unit, have the right to have their misconduct cases heard and ruled on by a third party out of public view.
    — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrator

Browse Nearby Words

arable
arbiter
arbiters
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Cite this Entry

“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on arbiter

Nglish: Translation of arbiter for Spanish Speakers

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