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
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
One new wrinkle to the partnership is that the Emirates logo will now appear on the uniforms of the ATP chair umpires; the airliner has done the same with referees and officials in the NBA, SailGP, World Rugby and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025
Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Participants will learn how to referee grassroots games efficiently in a program for individuals over age 14 who hope to referee mini football, 9v9 and 11v11 games.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
Head referee Cristian Garay called for the controversial PK after going to VAR and the ruling was that Noah Allen made contact with Porto’s Joao Mario in the penalty area.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
One new wrinkle to the partnership is that the Emirates logo will now appear on the uniforms of the ATP chair umpires; the airliner has done the same with referees and officials in the NBA, SailGP, World Rugby and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025
Verb
Former Premier League referees Lee Mason and Phil Dowd were invited along to monitor performances and lead feedback sessions afterwards.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Participants will learn how to referee grassroots games efficiently in a program for individuals over age 14 who hope to referee mini football, 9v9 and 11v11 games.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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Burns started Judge with a slider near the top of the zone that home plate umpire Mark Wegner called a ball, even though MLB’s GameDay showed the pitch easily inside the zone.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
24 June 2025
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Schnall was ejected in the first inning after an argument with home plate umpire Angel Campos.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Two of the officials said they were told the administration has decided to award the money.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 June 2025
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The deciding game of the series will be played on Sunday afternoon.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2025
Noun
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Had Johnson, 35, been found guilty of murder at trial, a jury or judge would have assessed punishment at between 25 and 99 years, or life, in prison.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2025
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Before his death, Payne recorded episodes as a guest judge on the series that is hosted by Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, with Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls) serving as mentor-judge and Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland also serving as a guest judge.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The unexpected matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will be settled on Sunday, June 22 in Oklahoma City.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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The district settled in 2022, saying the groups are open to all students.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Tuesday’s vote was merely a primary to determine who will be representing the Democratic Party.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
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Authorities have stated that details about the motive and sequence of events will be determined through the ongoing investigation.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Verb
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In both international and domestic law, however, these indictments will never be adjudicated with clear verdicts.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
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Williams also pleaded no contest to charges of false impersonation of a law enforcement officer and engaging in an activity where a license was required, and a judge adjudicated him guilty, according to Marion County records.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Given his often conflicting obligations to cyberspace operations under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and signals intelligence under Title 50, he is compelled to arbitrate in favor of one or the other, rather than advocate on behalf of either side.—
James G. Stavridis,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Oct. 2013
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In May, Morris filed a lawsuit asking Tarrant County courts to force the Southlake megachurch to arbitrate a dispute about his retirement pay, the Star-Telegram previously reported.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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