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
Relevance
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
These days, Trump is giving himself a role as an arbiter of American taste.
—
Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Why would President Trump, who is the ultimate arbiter of who gets to see classified information, take such risks?
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
Investors are the ultimate arbiters of Washington’s fiscal health.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Top officials have been reassigned, including the senior-most career official who often acted as a critical — and neutral — arbiter of ethical matters.
—Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
Why would President Trump, who is the ultimate arbiter of who gets to see classified information, take such risks?
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
Investors are the ultimate arbiters of Washington’s fiscal health.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Top officials have been reassigned, including the senior-most career official who often acted as a critical — and neutral — arbiter of ethical matters.
—Devlin Barrett, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for arbiter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiter
Noun
-
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick wants referees to give his young livewire more protection.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
One person who took the cool moment factor a bit too far was Mexican referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava, who was sanctioned by Concacaf for approaching Messi at the final whistle of the game in Kansas City last week and asking for his autograph to give to a family member with special needs.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Editors’ Picks In case after case, judges have strained to establish even basic facts about the staff members who have descended on federal agencies.—
Zach Montague,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Arkansas had removed its work requirements after a federal judge ruled that such policies resulted in a significant number of people losing health coverage, which goes against Medicaid’s rules.—
Margaret Coker,
ProPublica,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The second focuses on Frank (Josh Thomson), the fearful umpire and school teacher who tries to hide from everyone.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
-
There’s even a focus on a highly efficient umpire/teacher with romantic commitment issues venturing into the online dating world — dazzlingly reimagined as a videogame by Pixar’s animators.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The arbitrator reduced Hayes' termination to a 50-day suspension, saying his actions weren't harassment because the women hadn't said they were offended, according to the arbitrator's decision.—
Isaac Avilucea,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Now, with the reliance of courts to act as non-political arbitrators continues to be questioned, McConnell offered a warning to the Senate about the need to continue an objective confirmation process.—
Allison Pecorin,
ABC News,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arbiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiter. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share