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

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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

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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

On many Saturday nights, the racing there can resemble equal parts short-track competition and reality television, with just enough contact on, and off, the track to make a UFC referee feel right at home. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Questioned by the referee appointed by the Florida Bar to investigate the case, Gonzalez did not dispute the facts or offer reasons for his conduct, according to the referee’s report. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

The 46-year-old Slovenian refereed Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 Beyond on-pitch disputes over refereeing calls, life and politics have spilt into the tournament like never before. — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for referee

Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee

Noun

Pirates manager Don Kelly was ejected in the fifth inning by home plate umpire James Hoye, Kelly's sixth ejection of the season, most in the majors.

— CBS News, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Manager Blake Butera got in the face of umpire Manny Gonzalez and was ejected for the first time this season, a decision that was appreciated inside the clubhouse.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of umpire

Verb

His company depended on a third-party tool to connect its data infrastructure, and the deciding problem turned out not to be the price.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Just a few hours after dropping pics of herself with voluminous, body-licious curls, Khloé Kardashian decided to kick off August with a fresh hair cut—and introduced us all to her alter ego, Bob Kardashian, in the process.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

This contrasts sharply with a federal judge's decision days earlier, blocking Minnesota from criminalizing prediction markets, a win for Kalshi and the CFTC who argue federal preemption.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
First applied by a few individual judges in 2019, it was rubber-stamped by a lower section of the supreme court in 2023, which led to regional judges across the country, who rule on citizenship cases, applying it to would-be citizens.

— Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

The sluggish start mirrored Wednesday’s defeat, leaving Bay FC once again chasing the game before many fans had settled into their seats.

— Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
Named for nebbia, the Italian word for the heavy layer of fog that settles over the vineyards around harvest time in early autumn, Nebbiolo has been cultivated in Piedmont for more than 750 years.

— Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

While there is an electric fence, a few times a year determined goats make their way out.

— Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Whether health workers like Kayimpa receive that support could determine how many remain on the front line, fighting to keep patients alive and contain the virus.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of determine

Verb

Autonomy, in both framings, is adjudicated by a physician, verified at the bedside.

— Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026
The House’s post-#MeToo rule changes in 2018 clarified that members cannot pursue relationships with their own staff and created a new process for adjudicating harassment claims.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of adjudicate

Verb

The Prop Association, a self-regulatory body launched in April 2025 under CEO Jordan Schneir, now offers to arbitrate the disputes.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
His case prompted a withering rebuke from the California Supreme Court, which said Kaiser’s system of arbitrating legal disputes was subject to long delays and unfair to its members.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of arbitrate

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refer

referee

refereed

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“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of referee

noun

verb

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