arbiter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'arbiter' is correct and can be used in written English.
An arbiter is a person who makes a decision or judgement between two groups or parties. You can use it in situations when an impartial third party is involved in settling a situation or dispute. Example sentence: The court appointed an arbiter to make a decision between the two parties.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Johnson matters because the IFS is seen as the ultimate arbiter on a range of issues that will have a bearing on the result on polling day: government spending totals, tax, the size of the budget deficit and living standards.

The Guardian

All we know is that its proponents wish that foreign criminals could "be more easily deported from Britain", and that the supreme court was the "ultimate arbiter of human rights matters in the UK".

The Guardian - Opinion

More than 1,700 competitions have taken place in 66 countries since the 2004 founding of the World Cube Association, a governing body modeled after FIFA, the arbiter of international soccer.

The Guardian - Tech

The Queen, probably the world's leading arbiter of social and sartorial protocol – thanks to decades of state visits and experience of dress codes – takes her cue from her hosts, appropriating a colour or a national emblem within a garment that itself sits within her own clothing comfort zone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The Flying Tomato", as he was known, was the arbiter of style on the halfpipe, where he was eagerly imitated; it's fair to say that his uncontrollable 'do spawned its own imitators too.

The Guardian - Sport

For Spyros Mercouris, who is seen as the arbiter of improved cultural ties with China – the basis for the economic cooperation now taking root – that relationship is as much about the two nations shared sense of history as the very modern demands of globalisation.

The Guardian

But the 1996 reform that empowered the Trife as the final arbiter of any election is far superior to what came before, where a simple majority of the lower house of Congress sufficed to declare a vote valid.

The Economist

Oil was used as an independent price arbiter for Dutch gas in the 1960s and then for Algerian and Norwegian gas in the 1970s because neither side could influence the supply and demand for it.

The Economist

A PAS youth leader, Nasrudin Hasan, explains:"Adam Lambert's shows...are outrageous, with lewd dancing and a gay performance…This is not good for people in our country".The outrage was predictable from a party that has frequently positioned itself as a moral arbiter for all Malaysians.

The Economist

It should have seemed the most dangerous of precedents to have the army cut short Egypt's first, barely begun experiment with full-scale democracy.It is not easy to see the 450,000 man force, long used to near-absolute autonomy, as an impartial arbiter of the popular will; it had its own reasons for wanting the Brothers out.

The Economist

Overnight, a convicted criminal and political pariah became a responsible arbiter of the nation's fortunes.The importance of constitutional reform in Mr Renzi's mind cannot be overstated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arbiter", ensure the context clearly indicates the area in which the person or entity has the power to make a final judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "arbiter" when referring to someone who simply offers advice or suggestions without the power to enforce a decision. "Arbiter" implies a binding judgment.

Linguistic Context

The word "arbiter" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an individual or entity appointed to judge a dispute or make a final decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arbiter" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that designates a person or entity with the power to make a final judgment or decision. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, its use is prominent in formal contexts such as News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When writing, be mindful of the term's formal nature and ensure its scope of authority is accurately represented. Consider alternative terms like "mediator" or "adjudicator" in more informal contexts, ensuring that the term used reflects both accuracy and the right level of formality for your needs. This term is more suited for academic and business writing, where clearly defined authority is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decision-maker

General term emphasizing the act of making choices.

final authority

Emphasizes the ultimate power to decide without further appeal.

adjudicator

Implies a formal or legal setting for the decision-making process.

supreme judge

Highlights the highest level of judicial power.

mediator

Focuses more on facilitating agreement rather than making a final binding decision.

judge

Specifically refers to someone in a legal context making judgments.

referee

Suggests a role in overseeing fair play and resolving disputes, especially in sports or competitive situations.

umpire

Similar to referee, but often used in baseball or cricket.

authority

Broader term indicating someone with the power to make decisions or give orders.

controller

An element used for managing any aspect of an element or the whole software

FAQs

How to use "arbiter" in a sentence?

Use "arbiter" to describe a person or entity with the power to make a final and binding decision. For example: "The court appointed an arbiter to settle the dispute".

What can I say instead of "arbiter"?

You can use alternatives like "mediator", "adjudicator", or "decision-maker" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "arbiter" and "mediator"?

While both are involved in dispute resolution, an "arbiter" makes a final and binding decision, whereas a "mediator" helps the parties reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Is it appropriate to use "arbiter" in informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "arbiter" is more common in formal contexts. Simpler terms like "decision-maker" or "judge" might be more suitable for informal settings.