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
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Recent Examples of referee
Reuters 19 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Two minutes into the game, DeMelo — who also plays for the United States women's national soccer team — was seen sitting down slowly as another teammate remained by her side and trainers were called by a referee, Reuters reported.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
About 30 years ago, Huggins began calling basketball games, leading him to referee in Lamar and other nearby cities.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
DeMelo, 27, slowly took a seated position on the field of play two minutes into first-half stoppage time and a teammate was attending to her while a referee called for trainers to check her out.
—Reuters 19 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
Two minutes into the game, DeMelo — who also plays for the United States women's national soccer team — was seen sitting down slowly as another teammate remained by her side and trainers were called by a referee, Reuters reported.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Commissioners have devoted a rare special meeting to deciding the contract award, placing board members in the position of refereeing between competing claims in the complicated realm of healthcare finances and reimbursement rates.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
About 30 years ago, Huggins began calling basketball games, leading him to referee in Lamar and other nearby cities.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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After the top of the first inning, several Yankees batters congregated on the third base line with manager Aaron Boone and the umpires.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Crew chief and home plate umpire Bill Miller called it a strikeout, only to overturn the call when third-base umpire Chad Fairchild suggested the foul tip hit the ground and should be a foul ball.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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How would Trump react to his administration now getting to decide the fate of CNN?—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ego Nwodim has decided to leave the NBC show after seven seasons.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The man was arrested and charged with attempting or threatening to kidnap or murder a US judge.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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In September, a federal judge prevented Utah from enforcing them.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the plaza, Seth Teasdale was nearby as Kirk flung some caps into the crowd, then settled into his seat under the canopy to take questions.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Cortège gestures toward that transcendence, but too often settles for the kind of veiled enchantment that follows us home through our screens.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After an initial jam session to determine musical abilities and interests, participants are paired up and assigned to a counselor who manages their activities for the week.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Reuters was unable to determine whether Pulte or administration officials are aware of Cook’s Atlanta loan estimate.—
Chris Prentice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, a probate court commissioner in Nevada, where the matter was adjudicated, rebuked the effort, after which Rupert Murdoch had signaled an intent to appeal.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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The new rule and the announcement that USCIS officers can carry firearms are the most recent steps to transform the agency into a different entity, away from one founded to adjudicate benefit applications and provide services to the public.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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International investment treaty disputes are arbitrated under a third-party institution that employs attorneys who specialize in international law and have no particular ties to either party.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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In the event a matter must be arbitrated before a neutral arbitrator, the arbitration provision could nonetheless spell out certain criteria that the league believes are important to the league’s interests and which the arbitrator must consider in reaching a decision.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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