as in umpire
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
served as the unofficial referee in disputes over the family business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to decide
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
their father usually ends up refereeing any disputes concerning use of the big TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of referee
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Clark said referees heard the comment come from a section in which many Loyola student spectators were seated but could not identify the individual who made it.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The game at Wyoming (5 p.m. PST, CBS Sports Network) is the Aztecs’ final trip to Laramie before moving to the Pac-12 next season … A moment of silence was observed before the game for Terry Wymer, the officiating coordinator from the Big Ten consortium that supplies referees to the Mountain West.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
The referees quickly skated over to pull Tkachuk away and promptly handed him a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Feb. 2026
Clark said referees heard the comment come from a section in which many Loyola student spectators were seated but could not identify the individual who made it.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The National Football League (NFL) must overhaul its inconsistent, poorly-performing, horse-and-buggy refereeing system.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The game at Wyoming (5 p.m. PST, CBS Sports Network) is the Aztecs’ final trip to Laramie before moving to the Pac-12 next season … A moment of silence was observed before the game for Terry Wymer, the officiating coordinator from the Big Ten consortium that supplies referees to the Mountain West.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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But Tuesday’s game featured a barrage of challenges with Thomas Fornarola, a minor league umpire working his first big league spring training, per the Wendelstedt Umpire School, behind the plate.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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After the play, an umpire came out and checked how tightly the ball was lodged under the padding.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carrick ignored it, deciding not to change a formula up front that has ended up producing five wins and a draw from his first six matches back in the dugout.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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The courtroom erupted as the judge and lawyers tried to decide which charges Cox was self representing, and who needed to receive the motions.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The judge expressed disbelief in a 66-page opinion.—
Steve Karnowski,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Cash told the judge that the loitering charge is discriminatory against homeless people and should be dropped.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bankruptcy, a chapter 11 filing that allows a company to reorganize rather than quickly sell off and shutter, would take time for courts and attorneys to settle.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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Knoxville was settled in 1786 and served as a territorial capital before Tennessee gained statehood and joined the union.—
Caroline Eubanks,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The cause of the blaze has been determined to be arson by Sheriff Detective Ronald Walker.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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Research has yet to determine whether or not these hair extensions are dangerous or could be causing illness.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dozens more judges retired or resigned, citing discomfort surrounding new policies about how they were supposed to adjudicate, according to interviews with current and former EOIR staff.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2026
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This matter will be resolved through the judicial process and adjudicated in a court of law.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Its jurisdiction over credits is especially powerful, arbitrating decisions that can shape careers, reputations, and earnings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Feb. 2026
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Volunteers often are needed for low-level jobs that Quimby does willingly, including keeping track of how long a person is taking for a shower, arbitrating the line for use of two bathrooms, and moderating use of washers and driers.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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