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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 refereed
Artan has refereed for FIFA since 2018 and won awards for his work.
—
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
Siebert has refereed nine Champions League matches this season, with his most recent PSG fixture the league phase 0-0 draw against Athletic Club in December.
—Ali Rampling, New York Times, 11 May 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
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
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
Siebert has refereed nine Champions League matches this season, with his most recent PSG fixture the league phase 0-0 draw against Athletic Club in December.
—Ali Rampling, New York Times, 11 May 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
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
-
In March 2016, when the owners closed the restaurant, Joel decided to turn a setback into an opportunity.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
The pair decided to study the canyons — which are a six-hour drive from WCU in Gunnison — after reading about the recession of Powell and the canyons coming back to life.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Eiguren’s grandparents were among the thousands of immigrants who settled in Boise starting in the late 1800s, giving rise to one of the largest Basque communities outside Europe.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The Sikh faith originated in the Punjab region of northwest India in the 15th century, but Sikh people have migrated and settled around the world.—
Akash Pamarthy,
NPR,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Entries will be judged on taste, ease of preparation, use of wild rice and sponsor products and creativity.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
2 June 2026
-
Looking at the Other Side While many single moms may be judged a bit harsher for a variety of reasons—often because of stereotypes and clichés—most of the criticism in Mollen’s case was aimed at what was written alongside the images.—
Sarah Bregel,
Parents,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The punitive phase of the civil trial began Thursday, after jurors determined that Grossman had acted with malice and oppression and Erickson with malice, oppression or fraud.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Shorewood police, along with the Troy Fire Protection District, responded to the scene, where it was determined that the car backed into the store.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
If the justices do so, many more months will follow before the appeal is heard and adjudicated.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
Opponents of the trailer bill — including a former attorney general — say about 30,000 permanently disabled workers, many of whom have waited years to have their cases adjudicated, would see their in-process claims effectively canceled under Newsom’s plan.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The most controversial decision in this regard came in the 3-0 win against Liverpool in November when Andy Robertson was adjudged to be offside and affecting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma when Virgil van Dijk 'scored' from a corner.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
-
Tels turned villain 24 minutes later when his high foot was adjudged to have made contact with Ethan Ampadu’s head.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
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
Verb
-
Chris Segal, who umpired Sunday’s finale between the Orioles and Twins, had a league-high 10 calls challenged, seven of which were reversed.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
