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
Just as decisions should be devolved to the smallest competent unit rather than centralized bureaucracies, customers — as the ultimate arbiters of value — must be empowered to judge what truly serves their needs and dignity.
—
Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Moreover, clinicians are winning more than 70% of IDR disputes because independent arbiters recognize that insurers are underpaying.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Later, criticism also came from arbiters of high modernism, such as Clement Greenberg, who wrote off New Deal art as kitsch for the masses.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Moreover, clinicians are winning more than 70% of IDR disputes because independent arbiters recognize that insurers are underpaying.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 11 Apr. 2026
Later, criticism also came from arbiters of high modernism, such as Clement Greenberg, who wrote off New Deal art as kitsch for the masses.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arbiters
Noun
-
After referees called Wembanyama on a foul on Karl-Anthony Towns, a review determined that Towns had been the one to commit a foul, an offensive foul, by hooking Wembanyama with his arm.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Two judges previously told The Times that Draper spent the last three years relegated to a room at the Santa Monica Courthouse without a computer or caseload.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
As is traditional at tattoo conventions, each day of the Capitol City Classic wraps up with a tattoo competition, with judges awarding prizes to artwork in various styles.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Fights between managers and umpires.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
-
But the umpires confirmed the home run, coupling Adell with Canseco in numerous social media posts.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arbiters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arbiters. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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