as in referee
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
the couple finally agreed to let the salesclerk be the final arbitrator and tell them which shirt looked best
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 arbitrator
After subtracting the sale price, the arbitrator awarded Mötley Crüe a net payment of $244,293.
—
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2026
After the teams exchange salary figures, a hearing is held before a panel of arbitrators.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
The ruling rejected the league’s attempt to force Flores into arbitration, which would have had Commissioner Roger Goodell serve as the arbitrator.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
O’Foghludha noted that Duke and Mensah agreed to arbitrate a dispute, but that no arbitrator has yet been assigned.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrator
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2026
After the teams exchange salary figures, a hearing is held before a panel of arbitrators.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
The ruling rejected the league’s attempt to force Flores into arbitration, which would have had Commissioner Roger Goodell serve as the arbitrator.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
O’Foghludha noted that Duke and Mensah agreed to arbitrate a dispute, but that no arbitrator has yet been assigned.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for arbitrator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrator
Noun
-
Referee Dan Schachner, a longtime referee, will oversee the action.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Shawn Smith, who has worked as an NFL official for 11 seasons, will be the referee for Super Bowl LX.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The judge seemed to account strongly for the prosecution's evidence of Thompson's internet search history leading up to the attack.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
What responsibilities do judges have when tech system failures affect victims or defendants?—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Smith's crew is set to include umpire Roy Ellison, side judge Eugene Hall, back judge Greg Steed, down judge Dana McKenzie, line judge Julian Mapp and field judge Jason Ledet.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Smith’s crew is set to include Roy Ellison (umpire), Eugene Hall (side judge), Greg Steed (back judge), Dana McKenzie (down judge), Julian Mapp (line judge), Jason Ledet (field judge) and Andrew Lambert (replay official).—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbitrator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrator. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
