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
Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
But Takeshita got back up after the referee counted to one.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
His displeasure over certain refereeing decisions has gotten the Boston star ejected from one game and fined $35,000 after another.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
Eventually, new sanctions for actions such as diving along with the use of video assistance for referees were also brought in.
—Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
But Takeshita got back up after the referee counted to one.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
After the first free throw, Doncic walked over and spoke to referee Sean Corbin.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
His displeasure over certain refereeing decisions has gotten the Boston star ejected from one game and fined $35,000 after another.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
-
Lee questioned the home plate umpire about the interference call.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
-
Per Roland Garros custom, chair umpire Aurelie Tourte descended from her chair to check.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Thai diver Kengkard Bongkawong told CNN that while the goal is still to rescue the group, an upcoming meeting will decide whether the team should first work together to evacuate them or if the rescuers should split into two groups, with one continuing the search for those unaccounted for.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Hulst and Toomey decided to withdraw from the mile at the State meet.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Cushing, who was 26 at the time, then turned himself in after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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The request was granted three months later by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, according to a filing reviewed by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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German and Czech immigrants who settled in Central Texas during the 1800s introduced meat-smoking and butcher shop traditions that later became foundational to what many now recognize as classic Texas barbecue, according to the Texas Historical Association.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Eventually, the group settled in Fouke, a tiny town near the Arkansas-Texas border, setting up a church and buying up homes.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Regular blood rechecks will be necessary and will determine the need for medications, possibly for the rest of her life.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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Just like the choice between a gold or silver band and natural or lab-grown diamonds, engagement ring budgets are personal and should be determined by the couple's budget and long-term financial goals.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Over the past year, nearly 2,000 Polymarket financial contracts have been disputed and adjudicated by the company’s complicated third-party resolution mechanism — including bets on war, elections and geopolitical conflict.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
-
Insurers hold data to adjudicate coverage, detect fraud and manage utilization.—
Mark Boxer,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Their contracts require them to confidentially arbitrate with the commissioner (or his designee) as the arbitrator.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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