1
as in referees
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
their father always played the role of judge when there was a disagreement between the siblings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in courts
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
the judge gave the defendant a suspended sentence
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in decides
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
the committee will judge the case solely on the evidence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in estimates
to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement
considering the amount of dough we have, I judge we'll get about six dozen cookies out of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in derives
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
I judge that the girl has had a troubled relationship with her mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in thinks
to have as an opinion
I judge that he knew what kind of woman she was when he married her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of judges
Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
As is traditional at tattoo conventions, each day of the Capitol City Classic wraps up with a tattoo competition, with judges awarding prizes to artwork in various styles.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
If the Senate does not quickly act on his nomination, McDonald would require approval from the judges in the district, which covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 13 June 2026
Unofficial grandstand judges awarded Slaughter the decision.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
The next great challenge for lawyers, judges, policymakers, and technology leaders is determining how those principles should apply in a world increasingly mediated by algorithms.
—Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Sieger’s here, and there’s no discussion of his meltdown at Judges’ Table!
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 June 2026
California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE) argues that in forcing more than 90,000 workers to regularly commute to state offices, Newsom is violating the California Environmental Quality Act.
—Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 9 June 2026
The three-judge panel included U.S. Circuit Judges Patricia Millett, an appointee of former President Barack Obama; Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee; and Brad Garcia, an appointee of former President Joe Biden.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2026
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
The truck just leans into the work and gets on with life like a ranch foreman who drinks coffee black and silently judges your hitch setup.
—New Atlas, 27 May 2026
Portnoy travels to cities around the world and judges their pizza scene by taking a single bite (or more) of a cheese pizza and giving it a review.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 26 May 2026
American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan reacted to Seacrest’s on-air announcement with a mix of shock and confusion.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
In episode three, Mary judges Eleanor pretty harshly for her choices with Robert.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
The program, which launched last month, gave half a dozen Los Angeles County civil court judges access to AI software called Learned Hand.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
With that in mind, here are the top 10 starters with at least 100 pitches thrown this spring so far, ranked by Stuff+, which judges pitches by their physical qualities alone.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
On Monday, Ninth Circuit judges Holly Thomas, Anthony Johnstone, and Joan Lefkow held an oral argument.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
Two judges previously told The Times that Draper spent the last three years relegated to a room at the Santa Monica Courthouse without a computer or caseload.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
As is traditional at tattoo conventions, each day of the Capitol City Classic wraps up with a tattoo competition, with judges awarding prizes to artwork in various styles.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
If the Senate does not quickly act on his nomination, McDonald would require approval from the judges in the district, which covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 13 June 2026
Unofficial grandstand judges awarded Slaughter the decision.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
The next great challenge for lawyers, judges, policymakers, and technology leaders is determining how those principles should apply in a world increasingly mediated by algorithms.
—Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Sieger’s here, and there’s no discussion of his meltdown at Judges’ Table!
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 June 2026
California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE) argues that in forcing more than 90,000 workers to regularly commute to state offices, Newsom is violating the California Environmental Quality Act.
—Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 9 June 2026
The three-judge panel included U.S. Circuit Judges Patricia Millett, an appointee of former President Barack Obama; Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee; and Brad Garcia, an appointee of former President Joe Biden.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 5 June 2026
Verb
This time, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie convinced him to give the show another shot, igniting his journey all the way to the finale.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
The truck just leans into the work and gets on with life like a ranch foreman who drinks coffee black and silently judges your hitch setup.
—New Atlas, 27 May 2026
Portnoy travels to cities around the world and judges their pizza scene by taking a single bite (or more) of a cheese pizza and giving it a review.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 26 May 2026
American Idol judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan reacted to Seacrest’s on-air announcement with a mix of shock and confusion.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
In episode three, Mary judges Eleanor pretty harshly for her choices with Robert.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026
The program, which launched last month, gave half a dozen Los Angeles County civil court judges access to AI software called Learned Hand.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
With that in mind, here are the top 10 starters with at least 100 pitches thrown this spring so far, ranked by Stuff+, which judges pitches by their physical qualities alone.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
On Monday, Ninth Circuit judges Holly Thomas, Anthony Johnstone, and Joan Lefkow held an oral argument.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judges
Noun
-
During first-half stoppage time, Rezaeian’s free kick was headed home by Ali Nemati, but Nemati was clearly offside and the goal was waived off by the referees.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Adidas has also outfitted World Cup referees since 1978, but this is the first time its trademark three-stripe design has been prominently featured on referee uniforms.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The government has argued that, regardless of the circumstances, the DHS secretary's discretionary decision to revoke TPS can't be reviewed or second guessed by the courts.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
-
That's not to mention the aquatic center, racquetball courts, indoor turf field and even social spaces.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Lucky decides to take Mason to his first baseball game in Atlanta, only to encounter a series of complications and setbacks for which fatherhood, grief, and economic barriers are a distinct part of the Black American experience.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
19 June 2026
-
Outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles has announced her intent to resign by June 30 or whenever the council decides on her replacement.—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that the 5% tax would generate tens of billions of dollars in the first few years, but that income tax revenues could subsequently decline by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.—
Sophie Austin,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
McDermott estimates the cost to the Union over that period to be about $2 million, possibly more if participating schools form after-school programs related to soccer.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Soccer derives its beauty from its simplicity.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens
June 8,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
The result is a relentless flood of advice that derives its authority not from expertise but from personal testimony, endlessly reinforcing the idea that your feelings are your most important parenting instrument.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The surest sign of improving standards in Ghana and other African countries, Hughton thinks, will be when diaspora players born elsewhere in the world opt to follow their roots.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
So everyone thinks the world is falling apart.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Only two umpires will be present for the start of the Texas Rangers vs San Diego Padres game at Globe Life Field because of weather and travel issues in Dallas-Fort Worth on Friday.—
Cal Phillips
June 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
The umpires conferred and spoke with Venable, who seemed puzzled by the inquisition.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Eskin favors changing the system for choosing judges to one in which jurists are appointed to a single 15-year term, eliminating the need for elections while also ensuring that jurists do eventually leave the bench to make way for others.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
-
An assemblage of distinguished jurists, Ivy League professors, nonprofit leaders, journalists, and theologians sat around me in a half circle.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Judges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judges. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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