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
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
And right-wing politicians who accuse pro-Palestinian students of antisemitism are hardly credible arbiters.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
For decades, brands have been the arbiters and gatekeepers of style.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
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
And right-wing politicians who accuse pro-Palestinian students of antisemitism are hardly credible arbiters.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
For decades, brands have been the arbiters and gatekeepers of style.
—Corey Buhay, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
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Smith is one of only a handful of Black referees in NFL history to lead a Super Bowl crew.—
Terrance Friday,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The boys’ team helped set up the gym, ran score tables, assisted referees, reset the mats for title matches, and sat mat-side cheering throughout the finals.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Clegg said judges got creative to attract attorneys.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Lai also used Apple Daily to call for international sanctions against China and Hong Kong, the judges concluded.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ivy League for umpires This school prepared more umpires for professional baseball than all the other schools combined.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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The hardest part of being a catcher is adjusting to the different pitchers and different umpires.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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