as in decided
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
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Recent Examples of refereed
Smith, 54, has been an official for 11 seasons and has refereed 10 postseason games.
—
Matt Barrows, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Preckwinkle and the County Board authorized the Tyler contract, and her Bureau of Technology has refereed its implementation.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Matt Barrows, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Preckwinkle and the County Board authorized the Tyler contract, and her Bureau of Technology has refereed its implementation.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refereed
Verb
-
The Seahawks and Rams met in the NFC Championship Game, which was only decided by four points.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Tennessee has struggled, like most other SEC teams, against South Carolina the past few years, although the Lady Vols' previous three games -- all Gamecock wins -- were decided by single digits.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After a thrilling last two minutes that included a steal and a coast-to-coast dunk from Eric Reibe, the score settled at 39-all at halftime after six lead changes and four ties.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Malinin planned to open with his quad axel in combination with a triple toe loop but settled for only a quad flip.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel, which reviews refereeing decisions, judged that he should have been sent off in both games against Brentford for fouls on Brazilian forward Igor Thiago.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
About 94% of employees in the study said the need for moral leadership is more urgent than ever but fewer than 10% of CEOs were judged to be leading effectively.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During a subsequent conversation with Humpal and an onsite investigation, DNR staff determined the spill was coming from the west side of the operation where snow melt and a broken waterline caused more water to accumulate.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
10 Feb. 2026
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The coroner’s office has not yet determined Escamilla’s cause of death or his hometown, though his family has been contacted in Florida.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Williams, who died late last year, is one of two plaintiffs who have died before their CVA cases were adjudicated.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
That earlier case was not adjudicated, however, and McLeod disappeared after Mitchell’s death.—
Stefani Barber,
NBC news,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The flashpoint transpired in the 32nd minute between Villa and Newcastle United as referee Anthony Taylor adjudged the striker to have left his leg in on a sliding Schar.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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So if the Sharks can stay in the playoff picture, defy the prognosticators and get in, then Celebrini should no doubt be considered for the Hart, given to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
6 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Alleged violations of these treaties are arbitrated through the Investor State Dispute Settlement system (ISDS), which has turned out to be a boon for fossil asset owners.—
JESSICA F. GREEN,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Nov. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Ed Montague umpired for 34 seasons and recalls Bonds’s ability more clearly than most.—
Jeremy Collins,
The Atlantic,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refereed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refereed. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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