as in referees
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
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Recent Examples of arbiters
Are the corporations that release the powerful technology the arbiters of their fate?
—
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Judges here run in partisan elections but are expected to be neutral arbiters on the bench.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026
What explains the loss of poise and dignity among the traditional arbiters?
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Appoint a Book Club Editor in Chief I’m all for democracy, but there’s still a place for arbiters of taste.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
The idea of them working together was born out of friendship, said Capaldo, adding that there are many parallels between the trajectories of the two brands, dressing and engaging with cultural arbiters of their respective times.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
Collectors long ago replaced curators and critics as arbiters of artistic value, and more people today will hear about the Klimt price than will ever see a Klimt in real life.
—Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 28 Nov. 2025
The writers are the definitive arbiters of what is being said.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The arbiters of news were very connected to the people around them in a community.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Judges here run in partisan elections but are expected to be neutral arbiters on the bench.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2026
What explains the loss of poise and dignity among the traditional arbiters?
—Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Appoint a Book Club Editor in Chief I’m all for democracy, but there’s still a place for arbiters of taste.
—Lauren Mechling, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2026
The idea of them working together was born out of friendship, said Capaldo, adding that there are many parallels between the trajectories of the two brands, dressing and engaging with cultural arbiters of their respective times.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 17 Dec. 2025
Collectors long ago replaced curators and critics as arbiters of artistic value, and more people today will hear about the Klimt price than will ever see a Klimt in real life.
—Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 28 Nov. 2025
The writers are the definitive arbiters of what is being said.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
The arbiters of news were very connected to the people around them in a community.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
-
There are lessons to be learned from the two disputes, as female referees seek employment opportunities in pro and college sports.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Ayers is not among the 11 referees who were selected to officiate the Final Four games in Indianapolis, Ind.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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The foundation’s judges and awards subcommittee members – the latter a volunteer group of industry professionals, academics, writers and reviewers that changes every year – also search on their own.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Scott Barry moved from first base to the plate and the game finished with three umpires.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Players and umpires can get a definitive answer when a call is disputed.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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