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
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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
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
The amusing interaction comes a few days after Plum appeared to urge referees to give Clark, 23-years-old, a technical foul for stepping onto the court during the Sparks' game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 26.
—Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 30 June 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
Green's teammate Jimmy Butler spoke to ESPN after the game, agreeing that Green's reputation and history of receiving technical fouls contributes to the way officials referee him.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
The Americans were unable to generate another good scoring opportunity before referee Mario Escobar blew the final whistle.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
The amusing interaction comes a few days after Plum appeared to urge referees to give Clark, 23-years-old, a technical foul for stepping onto the court during the Sparks' game against the Indiana Fever on Thursday, June 26.
—Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
Listen to this article 2 min After a controversial no-call during a play involving Caitlin Clark Saturday, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White lambasted WNBA referees for their officiating in Fever games this season.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
Green's teammate Jimmy Butler spoke to ESPN after the game, agreeing that Green's reputation and history of receiving technical fouls contributes to the way officials referee him.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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At one point, play was stopped when a champagne cork flew onto the court; the umpire politely asked the crowd to refrain from popping bottles while the players were serving.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
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Sabalenka again offered her bottle of water into the crowd as several umbrellas shielded the member of the crowd, with both players returning to their seats either side of the umpire.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Verb
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But once Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) locks Superman (David Corenswet) away in a secret prison in a pocket universe, Terrific decides to help Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) find Superman.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Peskov said Putin would need time to analyze Trump's remarks, some of which were directed at him, and to decide whether to comment.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Noun
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On Thursday, a federal judge placed a temporary nationwide block on Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 July 2025
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The decision to reopen the case to the public eye came a little more than a month after the previous judge retired.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
13 July 2025
Verb
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But if a real estate investment isn’t in the cards at the moment, settle for the next best thing by renting one of the many villas currently listed on Airbnb.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
14 July 2025
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The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The four semifinalists were determined based on point differential with the Raptors (+15.8), Thunder (+14.8), Hornets (+12.7) and Kings (+11.5) finishing ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves (+9.5) and Atlanta Hawks (+8.0).—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
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The release of information is expected to take weeks, possibly months, as legal teams review the transcripts to determine what can be safely disclosed without exposing victims or other sensitive details.—
Mandy Taheri
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Since the Biden administration continued its policy of blocking appointments to fill its vacancies, there is now no quorum to adjudicate trade disputes, leaving countries little incentive to abide by the rules anymore.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
12 July 2025
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Only about half of the cases have been adjudicated so far, Sexton said.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Additionally, the terms state that robotaxis shouldn’t be used to provide emergency transportation and that riders in the pilot program will need to arbitrate any dispute.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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