as in umpire
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
served as the unofficial referee in disputes over the family business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to decide
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
their father usually ends up refereeing any disputes concerning use of the big TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of referee
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
But referees picked up the flag, instead of calling holding on Jones, a 15-yard penalty that would have given Carolina a first down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Commissioners have devoted a rare special meeting to deciding the contract award, placing board members in the position of refereeing between competing claims in the complicated realm of healthcare finances and reimbursement rates.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
The Lynx lost that game, and then, with Collier in a boot on the bench and her coach suspended for excoriating the referees in her defense, came up short in the decisive Game Four, too.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
But referees picked up the flag, instead of calling holding on Jones, a 15-yard penalty that would have given Carolina a first down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
The screen name appeared to reference Gruenke’s involvement with hockey, from playing in a Northbrook men’s league to refereeing junior hockey league games, including the 2018 Illinois State High School Hockey Championships, the complaint alleged.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Commissioners have devoted a rare special meeting to deciding the contract award, placing board members in the position of refereeing between competing claims in the complicated realm of healthcare finances and reimbursement rates.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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As Varland bounced off the mound, fans behind the plate mimicked the umpire’s strikeout call.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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However, as the umpires left Wrigley Field on the first-base side — through the Padres' dugout — several members of San Diego had to be held back after going crazy on the men in black.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Others believed Los Angeles should have put the deciding play in quarterback Matthew Stafford's hands.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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When seeking to prosecute someone, a state attorney can file charges against them or choose to present evidence before a grand jury, composed of citizens who then must decide whether there is probable cause to issue an indictment and move to a trial.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump sends California guards to Oregon A federal judge this weekend ruled that the president could not deploy 200 Oregon National Guard troops in Portland so the president ordered hundreds of California National Guard troops to deploy there instead.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
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The judge did not rule on the facts of the case, but rather that the suit should have been filed in New Zealand and not Wisconsin.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After just a few minutes on each arm, the soreness had noticeably decreased, and my arms looked more defined and less puffy, especially near the underarm area where water retention tends to settle.—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
4 Oct. 2025
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Skipping regular washes—Letting white towels sit too long between washes gives body oils, makeup, and mildew more time to settle into the fibers and stain them permanently.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched its major offensive there aimed at occupying it.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The boy was adjudicated delinquent on the disorderly conduct charge.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Oct. 2025
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Promoter reserves the right to verify eligibility and to adjudicate on any dispute at any time.—
Time,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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International investment treaty disputes are arbitrated under a third-party institution that employs attorneys who specialize in international law and have no particular ties to either party.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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In the event a matter must be arbitrated before a neutral arbitrator, the arbitration provision could nonetheless spell out certain criteria that the league believes are important to the league’s interests and which the arbitrator must consider in reaching a decision.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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