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arbitrate

/ˈɑːrbɪtreɪt/  ·  say it: AR·buh·trayt

to settle a dispute as a neutral judge

In Debate & Persuasion

In more detail

1. (verb) to make a decision about a disagreement between two parties after listening to both sides

2. (verb) to act as an arbitrator or judge in a dispute

Examples

• 1. The international court agreed to arbitrate the border dispute between the two countries.
• 2. A neutral third party will arbitrate if the two companies cannot reach an agreement.

How to use arbitrate

Arbitrate means to settle a disagreement by hearing evidence from both sides and making a binding decision, typically in a formal or semi-formal context. It differs from mediate, which involves helping parties reach their own agreement, and from judge, which is broader and applies to legal or academic settings. Arbitration is commonly used in labor disputes, commercial conflicts, and contractual disagreements.

Register: formal

Common phrases

• arbitrate a dispute
• arbitrate between parties
• arbitrate a conflict
• arbitrate a disagreement
• arbitrate a claim

Synonyms

mediate · adjudicate · judge · referee · umpire

Word family

arbitrator (noun) · arbitration (noun) · arbitrable (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse arbitrate with mediate; arbitration results in a binding decision imposed by the arbitrator, while mediation aims to help parties find their own solution.

Nearby in Debate & Persuasion

concession, compromise, mediate, negotiate, persuasive, compelling

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained