1
as in referee
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 court
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
the judge gave the defendant a suspended sentence
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to decide
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 to estimate
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 to understand
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 to think
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
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 judge
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
As part of Van Horn’s sentencing, the judge also ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service, complete a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program and attend a Victim Impact Panel.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Dance Commandr will judge the costume contest.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for judge
Noun
Monzon and Zarceno did not show up before the judge on Friday, NBCLA reported, citing a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
As part of Van Horn’s sentencing, the judge also ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service, complete a Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program and attend a Victim Impact Panel.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
The finalists will be judged in a range of categories, including ones for reptiles, insects and fish, as well as for younger photographers.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Dance Commandr will judge the costume contest.
—Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for judge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judge
Noun
-
Beloved referee Charles Robinson shared some personal news on his Instagram account.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
That was news to Steratore, the former NFL referee.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Wuornos pawned Carskaddon's gun, per court records reviewed by PEOPLE.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In a Wednesday afternoon ruling, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted their request, meaning Bovino did not make an appearance in court Wednesday.—
Devan Cole,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this year, the team decided to rebrand, choosing a name more in keeping with the brand's vision – and Fold was born.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Raised in a traditional Catholic home, Doty, out of economic necessity, had decided to pay off her debts by working in the adult entertainment industry, hoping the job would just be a temporary solution.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The universe of evergreen private market funds is estimated to be about $427 billion, according to PitchBook, and with current trends, total assets could surpass $1 trillion within the next five years.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Fire Chief Aaron Lipski estimates the department would need $14 million to repair or replace the department's aging fleet.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Both also connected really deeply with their big-name players and understood how to communicate with those individuals to get the best out of them.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Deadline understands that 26 crew members of Tulsa King‘s 600-member crew were asked not to return for Season 4, which is expected to resume production in a week.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and Rice University, the work could reshape how scientists think about pollution cleanup by looking closer at the tiniest details hidden in common minerals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Adam Green, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, an influential left-leaning group, said Newsom has not set himself apart as someone average Americans think of as the authentic messenger who connects with a more positive vision for working people.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Vitello himself was suspended four games by the NCAA for chest-bumping an umpire during an argument in 2022.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The umpire called Robinson safe, while Berra animatedly disagreed.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Clay also appeared in two small-claims cases tied to unpaid bills, one from a utility company in 2005 that was voluntarily dismissed, and another from 2010 that was denied by a magistrate, according to Cabarrus County court records.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The audit also revealed that Bowman allegedly held some bail funds for far longer than bail magistrate rules permitted.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Judge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judge. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share