Word: arbitrator

Associations

An arbitrator is a person chosen to settle a dispute or disagreement, often in legal or professional contexts. They make decisions to resolve the issue and their decision is usually binding.

• Example 1: In a labor dispute, the company and the workers agreed to have an arbitrator resolve their differences. (The arbitrator helped both sides come to a solution.)
• Example 2: After the contract disagreements, they sought an arbitrator to determine the terms of the settlement. (The arbitrator played a crucial role in finding a fair resolution.)
• Example 3: When the neighbors could not agree on property lines, they hired an arbitrator to mediate the situation. (The arbitrator acted as a neutral party to help out.)

The well-known synonym for arbitrator is "mediator." The main difference is that a mediator helps both sides negotiate and find common ground, while an arbitrator makes a final decision that both parties must accept.

Substitution

Other words/phrases that could be used instead of "arbitrator" include:

• Mediator: focuses more on facilitating discussion rather than making a binding decision.
• Adjudicator: often used in legal contexts to refer to someone who makes a judgment but may imply a more formal process.
• Referee: commonly used in sports or competitive situations where rules are enforced and decisions are made quickly.

Each of these words changes the focus slightly, whether on the method of resolution or the type of authority.

Deconstruction

The word "arbitrator" comes from the Latin root "arbitrare," which means "to judge" or "to decide." There is no prefix, but the suffix "-tor" indicates a person who performs an action.

Understanding this origin helps us see that an arbitrator is someone who has the authority to make judgments.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where an arbitrator might be needed in your own life or environment?
• How do you think having an arbitrator changes the way people might resolve conflicts together?
• What qualities do you think are important for an arbitrator to possess in order to make fair decisions?