as in referees
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
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Recent Examples of arbitrators
Skubal’s salary was decided by a three-person panel of independent arbitrators after a Wednesday hearing in Arizona.
—
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
After the teams exchange salary figures, a hearing is held before a panel of arbitrators.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Several oil companies sought compensation through international tribunals and arbitrators.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Ryan’s 2026 salary will likely be settled by a panel by arbitrators in the coming weeks.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The player and club will then go to a hearing and make their case before a panel of arbitrators, who will choose either the player’s figure or the team’s figure, but nothing in between.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Those will go to a panel of five arbitrators appointed by the council.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Range’s filing nods to findings of CAA losing the case, with arbitrators concluding that its noncompetes are invalid.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
While a losing party can petition a court to vacate an arbitration decision, judges are obligated under federal law to give arbitrators high deference and to only vacate an award in exceptional circumstances.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
After the teams exchange salary figures, a hearing is held before a panel of arbitrators.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2026
Several oil companies sought compensation through international tribunals and arbitrators.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Ryan’s 2026 salary will likely be settled by a panel by arbitrators in the coming weeks.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
The player and club will then go to a hearing and make their case before a panel of arbitrators, who will choose either the player’s figure or the team’s figure, but nothing in between.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Those will go to a panel of five arbitrators appointed by the council.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Range’s filing nods to findings of CAA losing the case, with arbitrators concluding that its noncompetes are invalid.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
While a losing party can petition a court to vacate an arbitration decision, judges are obligated under federal law to give arbitrators high deference and to only vacate an award in exceptional circumstances.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbitrators
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
-
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
“Arbitrators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbitrators. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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