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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of judges
Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Leavitt and Ballas have received immunity from the relay round, plus two bonus points, for having the top scores in the individual dance round last week and for their cumulative judges' totals all season.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Among our artisans are former OB-GYNs, judges and software engineers now knotting rugs to feed families.
—Nargis Habib, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
A lot of viewers believe that you have been underscored and underrated in the eyes of the judges this season.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
The judges then decide the winner of each relay, who earns two bonus points.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Sarah Jessica Parker opted for understated elegance alongside her fellow 2025 Booker Prize judges during a reception hosted at Clarence House by Queen Camilla in London on Tuesday.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
The judges on Sunday included McIntosh's widow, Derotha McIntosh; Greg Henderson; Broadway Joe Booker; and Marty Ryall, the director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Some dissenting judges on the court, though, said the 1977 law allows the president to regulate imports during emergencies without specific limitations.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
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
Your point about being present reminds me of the scene where Jack judges the girl for taking a selfie on the rooftop and Heather calls him out.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Figuring out critical consensus requires polling your community, and with more films being made and submitted to festivals than ever before, who judges these competition matters.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Aug. 2025
That shift — from hype to proof — is redefining how the market judges AI investments.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Who are the Red Bull Flugtag judges?
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2023
Noun
Since its 2005 premiere, longtime judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman — who died of bone cancer in 2023 and was replaced with former DWTS pro Derek Hough — critique the dance numbers.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Leavitt and Ballas have received immunity from the relay round, plus two bonus points, for having the top scores in the individual dance round last week and for their cumulative judges' totals all season.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Among our artisans are former OB-GYNs, judges and software engineers now knotting rugs to feed families.
—Nargis Habib, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
A lot of viewers believe that you have been underscored and underrated in the eyes of the judges this season.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
The judges then decide the winner of each relay, who earns two bonus points.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025
Sarah Jessica Parker opted for understated elegance alongside her fellow 2025 Booker Prize judges during a reception hosted at Clarence House by Queen Camilla in London on Tuesday.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
The judges on Sunday included McIntosh's widow, Derotha McIntosh; Greg Henderson; Broadway Joe Booker; and Marty Ryall, the director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025
Some dissenting judges on the court, though, said the 1977 law allows the president to regulate imports during emergencies without specific limitations.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Your point about being present reminds me of the scene where Jack judges the girl for taking a selfie on the rooftop and Heather calls him out.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Figuring out critical consensus requires polling your community, and with more films being made and submitted to festivals than ever before, who judges these competition matters.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Aug. 2025
That shift — from hype to proof — is redefining how the market judges AI investments.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Who are the Red Bull Flugtag judges?
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judges
Noun
-
Gordon said referees never gave him an explanation.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This time, however, Barrymore revived the segment with a few additions, most notably a golden ping-pong trophy, sweatbands, and referees Ross Mathews and Sunny Anderson asking all the spicy questions.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Davis' arguments have already been rejected by lower courts.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Owners also have access to Ascaya’s lengthy roster of amenities, which includes a 23,000-square-foot clubhouse, a resort-style pool, fitness and yoga studios, tennis and pickleball courts, a family park, and scenic hiking trails.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Major carriers are required to automatically rebook passengers whose flights are canceled at no charge — or refund the airfare if the passenger decides not to accept the new flight.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The story follows the complications that arise in female friendships when one of the characters decides to pose for a high school photography project.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Finding solutions Glowiak Hilton’s office estimates about 90 public school districts in Illinois have mascots that portray Native Americans.—
Diana Lambdin Meyer,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The African Development Bank estimates that lending to agriculture accounts for less than 5% of loan portfolios in many African countries, as farmers are often seen as high-risk borrowers.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But the team still derives its identity from the head coach.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The four-part limited series derives its name from a famous quote by Garfield, per Netflix's Tudum.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Peter thinks he's won — Milo is home, the threat to his family is gone — but not so fast.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Grace thinks Pam is talking about herself, in the wake of her husband’s death.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The game will feature the Poway Padres playing alongside members of the Poway Sheriff’s Station and the Poway Fire Department, with Mayor Steve Vaus and Poway City Council members serving as umpires.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
-
For the contemporary era, there are two separate ballots for players and managers, executives and umpires.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Bonhoeffers constituted a long line of pastors, doctors, scientists, and jurists.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The integrity of our system of justice and the judicial system is based on the trust that people place in the jurists that populate that branch, the third branch of government.—
John E. Jones III,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Judges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judges. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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