as in to apply
to have a relation or connection
I don't think that rule of play refers to this particular situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of refer
Tovia Smith, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, referred the Herald to the Treasury Department, which in turn referred the journalist to the State Department.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Milwaukee police say that woman was arrested in connection with the incident, and the police department referred homicide charges to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The hotline does not solve these problems for callers, but 211 information specialists use the most current local information available to refer callers to service agencies that are most likely to have resources to help.
—Matthew W. Kreuter, The Conversation, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer
Verb
Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline, which refers people to places offering free food, has been getting four times its usual calls, McAleer says.
—Tovia Smith, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, referred the Herald to the Treasury Department, which in turn referred the journalist to the State Department.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Milwaukee police say that woman was arrested in connection with the incident, and the police department referred homicide charges to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The hotline does not solve these problems for callers, but 211 information specialists use the most current local information available to refer callers to service agencies that are most likely to have resources to help.
—Matthew W. Kreuter, The Conversation, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer
Cite this Entry
“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refer. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
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