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

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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

That’s on top of fears around politicizing agencies like the Postal Service to play referee on who can receive a mail-in ballot, as well as concerns about how the government may use voter data. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026 The article emphasizes that AI is an analyst, not a referee, lowering the value of raw information while elevating the need for human interpretation and insight. — John Walkup, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Verb

Penso is only the second woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, and the first since 2022. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for referee

Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee

Noun

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was ejected by plate umpire Willie Traynor for arguing a balk call against Jose Cabrera (0-2) that put runners on second and third with one out in the fifth.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
By calling a game early for excessive precipitation (or making players continue to trudge through poor conditions), an umpire’s subjective view of weather conditions directly influences MLB records.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of umpire

Verb

Locals have spotted groups of people in Korea jerseys huddled together, trying to decide what to order at In-N-Out.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
This World Cup, a bunch of people decided to gamble millions on whether soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would cry during a match.

— Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 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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Style

“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of referee

noun

verb

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