referee 1 of 2

noun

ˌre-fə-ˈrē How to pronounce referee (audio)
Definition of refereenext
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

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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
The never-enjoyable brief wait for the referee to consult his massive watch. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026 That was the same year in which red and yellow cards were introduced (previously, a referee would simply issue a warning or send a player off for bad behavior). — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 17 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
  1. umpire
  2. decide
  3. judge
  4. settle
  5. determine
  6. adjudicate
  7. arbitrate
Noun
  • Look, this isn't about Jen Pawol being a female umpire, so save it.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026
  • When a second serve of his was called out to go down 4-2 in the fourth — this was pre-electronic line calling, and even the famous challenge system — Ivanišević raged at the umpire and kicked the net in frustration.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of umpire
Verb
  • Sebastian Reader, a 28-year-old from London, has long been fascinated by American culture and decided to make a three-month trip out of the World Cup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • During that time, board members toured multiple potential locations before ultimately deciding not to include one in the final plan.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • Immediately after the prosecutor finished his closing argument, the judge found Broadwater guilty without leaving the bench to deliberate.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
  • After the judge left the bench, promising a ruling by day’s end, India blew kisses to Banks as he was led away, back into custody.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 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
  • In the autopsy, the medical examiner determined that Bruneau was strangled sometime during the midmorning.
    — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • The inmate also had been placed on a state hospital hold while the courts determined competency to stand trial.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of determine
Verb
  • The final overriding decision was therefore not simply a process of adjudicating biological facts, but a judgment about what classification might do.
    — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026
  • 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
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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Cite this Entry

“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on referee

Nglish: Translation of referee for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about referee

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