adjudicate

verb

ad·​ju·​di·​cate ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkāt How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjudicated; adjudicating
Synonyms of adjudicate

transitive verb

: to make an official decision about who is right in (a dispute) : to settle judicially
The school board will adjudicate claims made against teachers.

intransitive verb

: to act as judge
The court can adjudicate on this dispute.
adjudicative
ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkā-tiv How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
-kə-
adjective
adjudicator
ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
noun
adjudicatory
ə-ˈjü-di-kə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjective

Did you know?

Adjudicate, which is usually used to mean “to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute,” is one of several terms that give testimony to the influence of jus, the Latin word for “law,” on our legal language. Others include judgment, judicial, prejudice, jury, justice, injury, and perjury. What’s the verdict? Latin “law” words frequently preside in English-speaking courtrooms.

Synonyms of adjudicate

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Examples of adjudicate in a Sentence

The board will adjudicate claims made against teachers. The case was adjudicated in the state courts. The board will adjudicate when claims are made against teachers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is intended to be adjudicated quickly because a person’s liberty is at stake. — Carla Astudillo, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2026 Kulkarni said their current priorities are to keep Bondonga from being relocated and adjudicating her green card application while also pushing her team's habeas corpus application forward, attempting to prove her detention unlawful. — Ruby Grisin, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Sep. 2026 The Justices’ daily business involves resolving ambiguities, clarifying jurisdiction, harmonizing conflicting statutes, and adjudicating conflicts in special jurisdictions. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 In cases where the visa holder has an active asylum application, the claim will have to be adjudicated and denied before removal proceedings can move forward. — Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adjudicate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin adjūdicātus, past participle of adjūdicāre "to adjudge"

First Known Use

circa 1695, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of adjudicate was circa 1695

Rhymes for adjudicate

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Browse Nearby Words

adjudicataire
adjudicate
adjudicatio
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Adjudicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjudicate. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adjudicate

verb
ad·​ju·​di·​cate ə-ˈjüd-i-ˌkāt How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjudicated; adjudicating
: to decide, award, or sentence judicially
adjudicate a claim
adjudication
-ˌjüd-i-ˈkā-shən
noun

Legal Definition

adjudicate

verb
ad·​ju·​di·​cate ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkāt How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
adjudicated; adjudicating

transitive verb

1
: to settle either finally or temporarily (the rights and duties of the parties to a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding) on the merits of the issues raised
2
: to pass judgment on as a judge : settle judicially
3
: to pronounce judicially to be
was adjudicated a bankrupt
was adjudicated the child's father
4
: to convey by judicial sale

intransitive verb

: to come to a judicial decision : act as judge
the court adjudicated upon the case
adjudication
ə-ˌjü-di-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
noun
adjudicative
ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkā-tiv, -kə-
noun
adjudicator
-ˌkā-tər How to pronounce adjudicate (audio)
noun
Etymology

Latin adjudicare to award in judgment, from ad to, for + judicare to judge see judge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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