Synonyms of referee

referee 1 of 2

noun

ˌre-fə-ˈrē 

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

• umpire
• judge
• arbitrator
• moderator
• negotiator
• arbiter
• magistrate
• adjudicator
• jurist
• mediator
• intermediary
• conciliator
• justice
• intermediate
• peacemaker
• troubleshooter
• mediatrix
• reconciler
• decider
• go-between

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

• decide
• judge
• settle
• determine
• umpire
• adjudicate
• arbitrate
• adjudge
• rule (on)
• resolve
• hear
• consider
• prosecute
• weigh
• conclude
• deem
• deliberate
• ponder
• try
• mediate
• find (for or against)
• negotiate
• moderate
• size up
• redetermine
• rejudge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• skirt
• hedge
• equivocate
• pussyfoot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of referee

Noun

Madrid's Vinícius will serve the first of a four-game suspension later Sunday for pulling the hair of a Villarreal player and aggressively confronting the referee in the previous round. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Former Hollywood High principal Jim Tunney was a long-time NFL referee. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 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