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
ABC News, 7 June 2026
Judge Salas told us vilifying judges is eroding trust in the courts.
—Heather Abbott, CBS News, 7 June 2026
To guide these 100 home cooks through the competition, Food Network has assembled a superstar group, tapping actor Terry Crews as host and professional chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Nick DiGiovanni as judges who are no strangers to cooking competitions.
—Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
Of the 17 judges indicted, 15 were convicted.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
The judges pressed Heuer on standing in the case and on how basic aesthetic questions can override the national security concerns.
—Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
Arendt and Lippmann proposed creating spaces where judges and journalists could evaluate evidence dispassionately and reach reliable conclusions about truth.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
In 2026, from a field of thousands of entries spanning every major whisky-producing nation, the judges awarded exactly 726 medals across the whisky and whiskey categories.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The ruling prohibits cash bail in most cases and strictly limits the amount judges can impose in others.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
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
When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
While recognizing peaceful protest as a constitutional right, the judges said actions that disrupt public life, block roads, intimidate others or interfere with constitutional processes do not enjoy legal protection.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Judge Salas told us vilifying judges is eroding trust in the courts.
—Heather Abbott, CBS News, 7 June 2026
To guide these 100 home cooks through the competition, Food Network has assembled a superstar group, tapping actor Terry Crews as host and professional chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Nick DiGiovanni as judges who are no strangers to cooking competitions.
—Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
Of the 17 judges indicted, 15 were convicted.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
The judges pressed Heuer on standing in the case and on how basic aesthetic questions can override the national security concerns.
—Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
Arendt and Lippmann proposed creating spaces where judges and journalists could evaluate evidence dispassionately and reach reliable conclusions about truth.
—Jeffrey Rosen, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
In 2026, from a field of thousands of entries spanning every major whisky-producing nation, the judges awarded exactly 726 medals across the whisky and whiskey categories.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The ruling prohibits cash bail in most cases and strictly limits the amount judges can impose in others.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
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
When smearing peanut butter on bread, the robot watches the knife deflect down and crush the bread and judges forces from that.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for judges
Noun
-
That’s a pretty good crop of referees, according to the players.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Players covering their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt will be given red cards if referees deem it not to be a friendly conversation, FIFA said.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
In the motion submitted May 1, Cassie argued that Howard's lawsuit should be transferred out of California courts and into a New York court, where dozens of similar Diddy claims were already filed.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
Leave this warehouse-sized structure for the light of day, and nearby are firepits, horseshoes, Bocce, tennis and pickleball courts, and even a soccer field.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Deborah decides to pursue treatment after all, if only to buy enough time to work a little more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The World Health Organization estimates that in the West Africa outbreak a decade ago, funeral practices may have contributed to 80% of cases in Sierra Leone and 60% of cases in Guinea.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
Massive changes to Medicaid, the government’s safety-net health program for low-income Americans, passed into law last year could result in 10 million more uninsured individuals over a decade, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates.—
Mike Stobbe,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Cultural relevance often derives from identity, community, and a sense of belonging.—
Esade Business & Law School,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The sauce derives its exciting flavor from a unique ingredients blend featuring pickles, chilis, mustard, mayo and onion.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
But Mack, who now works for the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority in Orlando, thinks the higher assault rate in Charlotte has to do with sparse driver support from management.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
-
Robinson agreed with Edmonds’ perspective and also thinks that chemistry could be the key to another successful season.—
Steven Johnson
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
But the umpires confirmed the home run, coupling Adell with Canseco in numerous social media posts.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Johnson was ejected after leaving the dugout and arguing with the umpires.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Now, the family seeks a fresh start with a new complaint, this time to be heard before a federal judge, rather than Lyons or any other Cook County jurists.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
Former federal judges Jeremy Fogel and Liam O’Grady said jurists are losing trust in the integrity of the Department of Justice.—
Sudhin Thanawala,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Judges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/judges. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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