REFEREE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

referee 1 of 2

noun

ˌre-fə-ˈrē

Definition of referee

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

referee

2 of 2

verb

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

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.

Recent Examples of referee

Noun

The technology allowed the referees to communicate with the replay center about reviews, scoring changes and clock malfunctions. — Jessica Golden, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026 Five players and the referee tried to catch it, Steph recalled, while its owner sobbed on the sidelines. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

Barton officiated the France-Spain match, while American Ismail Elfath refereed the England-Argentina match. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Once the contest was underway, Perrin began livestreaming on Instagram while simultaneously refereeing the matches, making her the organizer, referee and camera operator all at once. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for referee

Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee

Noun

The Rays challenged the calls at both first and second and Mesa was ruled safe when a video review overturned the out decision by first base umpire Mark Ripperger.

— Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Among 25 umpires who worked the first two rounds, four had perfect rates and were confirmed on all challenges.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of umpire

Verb

After seeing information about the National Day of Action online, Isabel Montano, a junior studying philosophy and economics, decided to take action at SIUE.

— Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Brands need to decide which trends resonate, which ones make sense to capitalize on and make a new product launch or an entire franchise and which to let go and pass over.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

But in 2025, Congress eliminated that tax — and in early August, a federal judge in Texas ruled that without it, those other measures for extra vetting were unconstitutional, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2026
The same isn’t true if the NCAA wins, since athletes elsewhere can still try their luck with judges near them.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

Deadline reported that the studio deliberately released the teaser on the same day Meta settled a child-harm case brought by state attorneys general, and that Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has seen the ad and liked it.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Noise colors are different sound profiles that spread audio energy across frequencies in distinct ways, and some can mask disruptive sounds and help the brain settle into deeper sleep.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

The letter obtained by The Associated Press gives the state 48 hours to determine whether any citizens are included on the list.

— SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
When prescription treatment is appropriate, the clinician determines the treatment plan and formula, with the patient receiving ongoing access to their provider through secure messaging and the ability to adjust treatment as their skin evolves.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of determine

Verb

The allegations have not yet been adjudicated, and Six Flags will have an opportunity to respond in court.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The states likewise argued that the board does not raise First Amendment concerns, arguing that the deal will not put the court in the position of adjudicating news judgments.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of adjudicate

Verb

As Rees sees it, legacy institutions are ill-equipped to arbitrate informational or cultural truths in a network-first world.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The underlying logic is that if parties contractually agree to arbitrate their grievances, which Moore and other professional tennis players do, judges ought to treat the outcome as final, assuming there are no extraordinary circumstances.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of arbitrate

Browse Nearby Words

refer

referee

refereed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of referee

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on referee

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

outlandish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes