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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of referee
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Before the Bruins’ 80-46 win over the Trojans, Jones and former teammate Kiki Rice stood across from each other at center court to speak with the referees before the game.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Amid the debate and fury surrounding refereeing standards in La Liga, accusations of bias are commonplace.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
The future Hall of Fame coach went ballistic at head referee Brian Forte’s crew, earning him two technical fouls as he was restrained by assistant coaches.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Before the Bruins’ 80-46 win over the Trojans, Jones and former teammate Kiki Rice stood across from each other at center court to speak with the referees before the game.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
On the wall and in frames propped up behind me were pictures of Padilla’s refereeing career, and of boxers who’d been in his orbit.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Amid the debate and fury surrounding refereeing standards in La Liga, accusations of bias are commonplace.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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The league will debut the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System to check the accuracy of umpires’ pitch calls.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Dec. 2025
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Schaaf also makes a cameo in the film as the final match’s umpire — a last-minute surprise.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This past Christmas, as a meaningful and nostalgic compromise, the McAlarneys and a group of other parents from their daughter Maddie's second-grade class all decided to get their children Tin Can landline phones for Christmas.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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Shanahan and Fangio are considered some of the best offensive and defensive play callers in the sport, and the matchup could decide who moves on to the divisional round.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The judge also sentenced him to five years of supervised release and imposed a $500,000 fine against him — the maximum fine allowable.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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An interpreter translated the judge's comments for Nino-Moncada.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Her sparkling long-sleeve dress draped across her body and settled into a small train behind her.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Some might accept a lien or letter of protection, which meant they would not be paid until lawsuits like those that would be filed on Barb’s and Sharon’s behalf settled.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The chairman warned that the outcome of the investigation will determine the future of the central bank’s decisions.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
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Back in October, the Golden Globes announced a longer list of 25 shows eligible for these first-ever podcast nominations, determined by the Globes' data partner, Luminate.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That earlier case was not adjudicated, however, and McLeod disappeared after Mitchell’s death.—
Stefani Barber,
NBC news,
26 Dec. 2025
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Her death was the catalyst for the law passed four years later that requires higher education institutions to publish annual security reports, or ASRs, about crime on or near campus, whether it has been adjudicated or simply alleged, according to the Congressional Research Service.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Trump is perfectly positioned to arbitrate this dispute and potentially take the issue off the table for the rest of his presidency.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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Much like the Basel Committee harmonizes bank capital standards, or the WTO arbitrates trade disputes, a global competition body could improve outcomes by monitoring what no single authority can.—
Ugo Troiano,
Oc Register,
29 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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