Synonyms of refer

refer 1 of 2

verb (1)

ri-ˈfər 

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

• apply
• relate
• pertain
• affect
• involve
• appertain
• have to do with
• connect
• bear
• concern
• touch
• link
• associate
• interest
• treat
• couple
• deal (with)
• interrelate
• tie in

refer (to)

2 of 2

verb (2)

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

• specify
• mention
• notice
• cite
• indicate
• note
• quote
• touch (on or upon)
• advert (to)
• instance
• name
• suggest
• introduce
• explain
• allude (to)
• imply
• point (out)
• announce
• intend
• infer
• clarify
• drop
• publish
• hint (at)
• pronounce
• signal
• spell out
• designate
• signify
• bring up
• declare
• advertise
• proclaim
• intimate
• clear (up)
• worm
• broadcast
• sound
• publicize
• interject
• denominate
• elucidate
• interpolate
• infiltrate
• interpose
• insinuate
• broach
• explicate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• pass over
• slight
• disregard
• neglect
• overlook
• overpass

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

• go (to)
• consult
• turn (to)
• resort (to)
• use
• fall back on
• utilize
• depend (on)
• rely (on)
• employ

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refer

Verb

An Anthropic spokesperson referred CNBC to the company's announcement from earlier this week tied to a deal with Google and Broadcom. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026

The company has put in place systems to screen users’ interactions with Gemini for signs of mental health crises, which will result in the chatbot referring the users to crisis hotlines. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026

At the time, Google said the chatbot referred the man to a crisis hotline many times but promised to improve the tool’s safeguards. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026

Jeffrey Epstein-level deception is where my mind went (please refer back to Wasserman). —Lorraine Ali news, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing refer

• refer (to)