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
George Caulkin, New York Times, 18 May 2026
The Senate parliamentarian is a nonpartisan, unelected staff member who serves as a referee on procedures.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 18 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
Nuno shook Howe’s hand and walked to the centre circle to do the same with Jarred Gillett, the referee, and then span on his heels and made straight for the tunnel.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 18 May 2026
The Senate parliamentarian is a nonpartisan, unelected staff member who serves as a referee on procedures.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 18 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
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After Will Smith flew out, Max Muncy worked a full count and took a slider near the outside corner that was called strike three by home plate umpire Rob Drake.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
20 May 2026
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Marte’s three-run homer, the first walk-off of his career, was preceded by home plate umpire Bill Miller calling Susac for catcher’s interference.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The hospital decides not to airlift Roberta (Paola Núñez), who quickly becomes an emergency case when Camille (Natalie Zea) determines that her aneurysm has ruptured.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
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November 22 – December 21 A practical detail around money, access, or trust may decide whether a serious conversation gets easier or stranger.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, a Cook County judge on Thursday declined to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged wrongdoing by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Vêtir also welcomed new additions– Stephanie Horton, senior director of global commerce at Google, and Nina Garcia, editor-in-chief of ELLE and Project Runway judge–to its advisory board, which would help deepen its expertise across global commerce, media, and luxury consumer behavior.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Check the facts, ask one clarifying question, and let real information settle your nervous system.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
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In a social media era rife with mouthwatering food content, kids will no longer settle for a drab school meal.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Officials have reached out to experts nationwide, including with the Environmental Protection Agency, hazmat experts and more to determine the best way to contain the incident, according to Concialdi.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
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To determine that, use the average last frost date for your area as a guideline.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The tax mechanism, called a Community Infrastructure District, wound up at the center of a court battle that took years to adjudicate.—
Mark Dee
May 15,
Idaho Statesman,
15 May 2026
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Fully funding immigration judges and Border Patrol to ensure asylum cases are quickly and fairly adjudicated while stopping real crime such as drug and human trafficking.—
Rachel Royster
May 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Meanwhile, the leaders reported that the core business of the guild — paying residuals, arbitrating credit disputes, and so on — continues, though the guild’s offices, theater and library remain closed.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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