referee 1 of 2

noun

ˌre-fə-ˈrē How to pronounce referee (audio)
Definition of refereenext
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

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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
Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half are to protect players, and referees, from extreme heat illness. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 As Cape Verde prepared its defense, the referee blew the whistle, meaning Messi could proceed. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Verb
What would have been the first Somalian to referee at the World Cup was turned away at the Miami airport despite having a valid visa. — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 Late goals, refereeing controversy, stunning upsets and two box office penalty shootouts – yesterday was everything the World Cup will always be about. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
  1. umpire
  2. decide
  3. judge
  4. settle
  5. determine
  6. adjudicate
  7. arbitrate
Noun
  • On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • First base umpire Nic Lentz ejected him in the second inning after Lentz ruled Contreras failed to check his swing on a Miles Mikolas pitch that ended up being a strikeout.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of umpire
Verb
  • Both Swift and Kelce decided to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen, per a statement shared with People.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • Later, Swift revealed that she was charmed by Kelce’s willingness to court her so publicly and decided to give him a chance.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • Dugan's case marked the first time that a state judge in Wisconsin went to trial on charges of obstructing immigration agents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Martin said the order shows how strongly the judge prefers a deal over years more of litigation — and potential appeals.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of judge
Verb
  • Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of settle
Verb
  • The agency has required the building’s owner to hire a third-party engineer to conduct a forensic evaluation — a formal investigation to determine the cause of the structural failure.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The hearing will determine whether there is probable cause for Robinson, 23, to face trial in Kirk's September killing at Utah Valley University.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Definition of determine
Verb
  • Pfendler appears to have broken both the previous women's speed record as well as the men's speed record, according to records maintained by Ocean Rowing Society International, which adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • After Coroner Scott Sayers denied the request, Sherwood successfully appealed to the Office of Open Records, or OOR, a state agency responsible for adjudicating Right-To-Know Law disputes.
    — Jonah Walters, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Definition of adjudicate
Verb
  • In response to the lawsuit, the NFL and teams sought to compel arbitration based on the coaches' employment contracts and a provision of the NFL Constitution that gives the NFL commissioner, Goodell, authority to arbitrate disputes between coaches and member clubs.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 May 2026
  • The Safety Engine arbitrates conflicting commands, enforces operational envelopes, and gates execution against runtime safety conditions.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 21 May 2026
Definition of arbitrate

Browse Nearby Words

refer
referee
refereed
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Cite this Entry

“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on referee

Nglish: Translation of referee for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about referee

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