1
as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
since they seemed to be in a hopeless stalemate, both labor and management agreed to use an independent adjudicator to decide the terms of the contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
the appellate court refused to hear the case, thus allowing the judgment of previous adjudicators to stand
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Recent Examples of adjudicator
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—
Tassanee Vejpongsa, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Record-Breaking Moment The official attempt took place on the Italian TV show Lo Show Dei Record in Milan, with Guinness World Records adjudicator Sofia Greenacre overseeing the proceedings.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
The department disputes that, saying judges are independent adjudicators who decide cases individually.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Thomas Bradford is one of 81 adjudicators the company employs across six continents.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Lahoud said the adjudicators follow a flowchart — and if the applicant meets the minimum criteria, the person can expect an approval notice to arrive within days.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In a video tour of his collection with a Guinness adjudicator, Kardinal shared some of the stories behind his snow globes, which are lined up on shelves filling multiple rooms of the basement of his home.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Decker, in another YouTube video, set the record for the most pizza restaurants visited in New York City in 24 hours, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator at his side.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Tassanee Vejpongsa, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Michael Empric, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, said rules require all food used in record attempts to be eaten or donated.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Record-Breaking Moment The official attempt took place on the Italian TV show Lo Show Dei Record in Milan, with Guinness World Records adjudicator Sofia Greenacre overseeing the proceedings.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2026
The department disputes that, saying judges are independent adjudicators who decide cases individually.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Thomas Bradford is one of 81 adjudicators the company employs across six continents.
—Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Lahoud said the adjudicators follow a flowchart — and if the applicant meets the minimum criteria, the person can expect an approval notice to arrive within days.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026
In a video tour of his collection with a Guinness adjudicator, Kardinal shared some of the stories behind his snow globes, which are lined up on shelves filling multiple rooms of the basement of his home.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Decker, in another YouTube video, set the record for the most pizza restaurants visited in New York City in 24 hours, with a Guinness World Records adjudicator at his side.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjudicator
Noun
-
After a video review, the referee ruled the stick was at or below the cross bar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Kukar was referee for two Super Bowls and alternate for another during his 22-year NFL career.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trever Nehls was also defeated in a 2022 race for Fort Bend County judge by three percentage points.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When the populist demagogue Willie Stark orders Burden, journalist turned gumshoe, to dig up dirt on a local judge, Burden demurs; certainly there are no skeletons in the office of the good judge.—
Brenda Wineapple,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The game featured 11 ABS challenges to plate umpire Andy Fletcher's strike zone, with the Twins going 8 for 9 — including four successful challenges by Ryan Jeffers while batting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Yankees went a perfect 5-for-5 with ABS challenges in Monday’s 2-1 walk-off loss to the Mariners, but that didn’t stop Boone and company from barking at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Rockets outscored the Knicks by 28 in Durant’s 35 minutes on the court.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The annual award recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adjudicator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjudicator. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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