arbitrate
To settle a dispute as an independent person or authority
Examples
In a meeting
“HR will arbitrate the disagreement between the two departments.”
Over coffee
“Can you arbitrate this argument about who's the better athlete?”
Why this word
mediate
arbitrate means to make a binding judgment between parties, while mediate means to facilitate discussion without deciding
judge
arbitrate specifically involves settling disputes between parties by third-party decision, while judge broadly means to form opinion
settle
arbitrate involves formal third-party decision-making, while settle can be done by the parties themselves
Usage tip
Use when describing formal or informal mediation by a neutral party. Implies authority to make binding or influential decisions.
Etymology
Latin 'arbitrari' (give judgment), from 'arbiter' (judge, witness)
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Related words
evaluate
To assess or judge the value, quality, or significance of something.
discern
To perceive or recognize a subtle difference or hidden truth.
defer
To postpone something to a later time, or to yield to someone else's judgment.
authorize
To give official permission or approval for something
reconsider
Think about a decision or opinion again with the possibility of changing it
contradict
To state the opposite or deny the truth of something