REFER TO Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

refer (to)

verb

Definition of refer (to)

as in to specify

to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically try not to refer to the recent death of her aunt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to go (to)

to use or seek out as a source of aid, relief, or advantage she studied so she wouldn't have to refer to the book during the exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refer (to)

Verb

The announcement did not specify when testing would begin or disclose results from previous development work.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
The company did not name a successor or specify a retirement date.

— Fortune Editors, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of specify

Verb

Always consult with a medical professional before making any major changes that can affect your health.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Women often consult primary care physicians as perimenopausal symptoms develop, and there are significant gaps in menopause knowledge among clinicians who practice internal medicine.

— Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of consult

Verb

Senior lineman/tight end Zavion Brown has noticed Litke’s growth.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
As petrified parents filed into the warehouse-like church nestled in a strip mall and took seats on folding chairs, Michelle noticed a woman near the front, sitting alone.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Verb

The Qatari plane left the Iranian capital approximately 30 minutes later, according to aviation tracking data cited by Iran's semi-official Fars News agency.

— Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
But several websites were temporarily down Wednesday morning, citing fear that hackers could take them over.

— Kevin Collier, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

County lawyers in defending the case noted an autopsy revealed a large quantity of methamphetamine in Garza’s body.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The motion noted that Brockway gave an officer a residence key that was later given to another officer who presumed it to imply consent for entry.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of note

Verb

Create content that demonstrates your expertise around the problems your ideal clients or partners are trying to solve, and use each piece to open conversations with the people featured, quoted or referenced.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Wasson, by contrast, kicks off by quoting three letters from prisoners in San Quentin, from 1947, addressed to the warden.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of quote

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.

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refers (to)

refer (to)

refigure

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Style

“Refer (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refer%20%28to%29. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of refer (to)

verb

Example Sentences

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