REFEREED Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

refereed

verb

past tense of referee

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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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 refereed Dean, 58, refereed 553 top-flight matches from 2000 until his retirement in 2022, handing out a record 113 red cards in the division. — Sam Joseph, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Barton officiated the France-Spain match, while American Ismail Elfath refereed the England-Argentina match. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 The 46-year-old Slovenian refereed Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 There were accusations that several matches have been refereed in favor of Argentina. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026 Artan has refereed for FIFA since 2018 and won awards for his work. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026 Any Avs postseason game refereed by Kelly Sutherland automatically starts with one eyebrow raised. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 May 2026 The building that houses this establishment has hosted gambling, cockfighting, a gallery, a dance hall, and even boxing matches once refereed by Ernest Hemingway himself. — Chelsea Brasted, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026 With each witness, Guillard — in her role as her own attorney — challenged their testimony in sometimes testy back-and-forths that had to be refereed by the judge and court staff. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refereed

Verb

Oak Park and Evanston have decided to end their Flock contracts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
After sunsetting their decades-long careers in the aerospace industry, brothers Jerry and Peter Wong decided to add a bit of magic to their lives by working at Disney.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of decided

Verb

In the 10th game, with Paul serving at 4-5, Alcaraz settled into his goldilocks zone, about eight feet behind the baseline.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
No nominations are going to be awarded this time, since that's already been settled by primary contests.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of settled

Verb

This year, the video contest received 347 entries from 40 countries, judged by a panel composed of specialists in science and advanced light microscopy.

— Molly Finlay, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
The United head coach is probably going to be judged on their league position rather than League Cup success, but this was a terrible moment for him.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of judged

Verb

Investigators determined Sabini sustained a fatal injury when, for unknown reasons, his bicycle veered into the traffic lane, colliding with a motor vehicle traveling in the same direction.

— Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
The Texas Rangers’ path to the playoffs Three weeks ago Schumaker predicted the division title would be decided in the final week of the season, and this is one of those that could be determined in Game 161 or 162.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of determined

Verb

The events recreate Ireland’s own experience with the actor Scott Shepherd in 2012, an act that was messily adjudicated before MeToo, and which, as of Pre-Existing Condition, is still a raw thing.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Officials’ body Pro Ref admitted making an error in judgement when VAR adjudicated that Erling Haaland was onside for the winner.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of adjudicated

Verb

Antoine Griezmann, France vs Croatia, 2018 Griezmann restores France’s lead with a penalty after Ivan Perisic was adjudged to have handled in the box.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team, marking the second such honor of his career after also winning the award in 2019.

— Mercury News, Mercury News, 12 June 2026

Definition of adjudged

Verb

Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated on an individual basis and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party.

— CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
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

Definition of arbitrated

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referee

refereed

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“Refereed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refereed. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of refereed

verb

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