refer

verb

ri-ˈfər How to pronounce refer (audio)
Definition of refernext
as in to apply
to have a relation or connection I don't think that rule of play refers to this particular situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of refer The company has referred more than 200 entities to the FDA, the US Department of Justice, state attorneys general, law enforcement and professional licensing boards. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 The Atlanta Police Department referred all inquiries to the FBI. — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Raybin Miller referred additional questions regarding Joe DiMaggio and Stella to Shane Strum, CEO of the Broward Health System and interim CEO of Memorial Healthcare System. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026 The spokesperson said the department will refer criminal charges to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refer
  1. apply
  2. relate
  3. pertain
Verb
  • The marks apply across all Claude surfaces people use — the API, Claude Code, Claude Cowork and deployments through AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Foundry.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But no matter the amount returned, states have held that their specific rules apply to banks lending within their borders.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • Fire officials said the fire appeared to be cooking-related, and investigators are still determining what caused it.
    — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Plenty among us, as our country commits atrocities across the globe, might relate.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • Its provisions only pertain to the final totals of cash transactions in the event that exact change cannot be provided.
    — Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The genetic differences among the populations did not pertain only to smell.
    — Willow Zhang, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of pertain

Phrases Containing refer

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refeeds
refer
referee
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Cite this Entry

“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refer. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of refer for Spanish Speakers

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