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
Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
This decision has led city councils to adopt new ordinances, judges to adjust their advisements for defendants and prosecutors and defense attorneys to negotiate plea deals under new guidelines.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The program includes interviews from the show's creators, participants and judges, according to Netflix.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The judges were Julius Erving, fellow Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette and Brent Barry.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
Especially in the judges’ eyes.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
After saluting the judges and exchanging high fives and hugs with her teammates, the Houston native saw her perfect 10 posted and collapsed.
—Dakayla Hawkins, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
This conduct stoked public outrage, triggered backlash from local officials and prompted judges to intervene.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
They’re being heard in front of judges who are often elected officials — by the local fans of those schools — and who may have even attended college at the school involved.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
His component score, which judges a skater’s composition, presentation and skating skills each up to 10 points, also was higher than every other competitor.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The Five Principles Survey, which is conducted roughly every six months, judges the Tottenham ownership against five tests which THST agreed with the board of the club itself.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 4 Feb. 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, 3 Feb. 2026
The winner was chosen by an independent panel, which each year judges the entries on artistic achievement.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Joining judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough this week is former dancing pro Kym Johnson.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
As West reports, Dubno’s update puts us in the head of an unnamed twentysomething who judges her peers at a cocktail party.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Along with hosting Taskmaster, Horne serves as the umpire for each challenge, while Davies judges the performances and awards points on how well the contestants do.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Judicial warrants are issued by judges when they are presented with probable cause and allow law enforcement officers to enter and search a person's residence.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
This decision has led city councils to adopt new ordinances, judges to adjust their advisements for defendants and prosecutors and defense attorneys to negotiate plea deals under new guidelines.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
The program includes interviews from the show's creators, participants and judges, according to Netflix.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The judges were Julius Erving, fellow Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette and Brent Barry.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
Especially in the judges’ eyes.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
After saluting the judges and exchanging high fives and hugs with her teammates, the Houston native saw her perfect 10 posted and collapsed.
—Dakayla Hawkins, Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
This conduct stoked public outrage, triggered backlash from local officials and prompted judges to intervene.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
They’re being heard in front of judges who are often elected officials — by the local fans of those schools — and who may have even attended college at the school involved.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Alongside him, judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie will return for their second year as a trio.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
His component score, which judges a skater’s composition, presentation and skating skills each up to 10 points, also was higher than every other competitor.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The Five Principles Survey, which is conducted roughly every six months, judges the Tottenham ownership against five tests which THST agreed with the board of the club itself.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 4 Feb. 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, 3 Feb. 2026
The winner was chosen by an independent panel, which each year judges the entries on artistic achievement.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Joining judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough this week is former dancing pro Kym Johnson.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
As West reports, Dubno’s update puts us in the head of an unnamed twentysomething who judges her peers at a cocktail party.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Along with hosting Taskmaster, Horne serves as the umpire for each challenge, while Davies judges the performances and awards points on how well the contestants do.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judges
Noun
-
But now, inevitably, some referees jazz up their announcements.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The student section was starting to storm the floor before referees ruled the ball had gone out of bounds off Oak Forest with two seconds left, giving the Hawks the ball on the baseline.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those federal statutes are enforceable through the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which directs courts to set aside agency actions when they are taken without observance of procedural requirements and in abuse of agency discretion.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Brendan Reilly highlighted their differing approaches in the Tuesday night debate to the office that oversees the 17-member County Board, forest preserves, and budgets for the county’s massive health system, courts and jail.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps general manager Brett Veach decides to trade down.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
As a way to claim his inheritance, Becket decides to get rid of every other Redfellow in line for it.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 20% of measles cases will result in admissions.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The report, which cites property records and Department of Homeland Security documents, estimates the Concord facility would have 1,500 beds.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And pan pizza, the name of which derives from the high-sided vessel it’s baked in, can be harder to nail than a traditional thinner crust.—
Emily Heil,
Washington Post,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The collection derives inspiration from the multihyphenate talent‘s own wellness practices.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This was partly out of deference to a president who thinks not of enemies but only of potential counterparties to be bargained with, bullied, swindled, or accommodated.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Mike Murphy, a Republican political consultant, thinks Pratt could get 19% to 21% of the vote, with a ceiling in the mid to high 20s.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Supporters say the legislation is needed to protect sports officials, send a message and also because unruly behavior by fans, parents and coaches has led to an officials shortage, sending some into early retirement and discouraging others from becoming referees, umpires or officials.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
16 Feb. 2026
-
However, when they are made aware of delivery issues, game umpires are positioned to observe the delivery for three ends.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The state's top jurists gather every November for an annual chili cook off.—
Nashville Tennessean,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Amid the reporting, his chief judge banned jurists at his court from including chats during court livestreams .—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Judges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judges. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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