Definition of magistratenext
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law chose to take their case before the local magistrate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 magistrate Now, under the law named after her, magistrates and judges in North Carolina must be stricter when setting release conditions for people charged with violent crimes. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026 Her next court hearing is set for June 10 before a magistrate in Porter Superior Court 2. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 In dismissing Thorpe’s appeal last year, a judge ruled that a magistrate was not allowed to consider Indigenous law and genocide was not an offense under common law. ABC News, 3 June 2026 Rush recently waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and a magistrate judge found probable cause to move the case to a grand jury. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for magistrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for magistrate
Noun
  • Over three days in the downtown courtroom in June, a Times reporter observed how many immigrants were funneled into the courtroom in groups, and the judge rarely addressed them directly, typically calling up around five cases at a time.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Prior to the trial beginning, the judge agreed that questions about Brown’s felony conviction for his 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna would be barred from testimony.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • She is expected in court throughout the week with her husband's parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Trump is consistently being rebuffed in court; the Justice Department has lost at least a dozen election lawsuits.
    Toluse Olorunnipa, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Magistrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/magistrate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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