as in deciding
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 refereeing
The decision centred around an alleged breach of AFCON regulations after Senegal walked off the pitch during the final in protest at a refereeing decision.
—
Ali Rampling, New York Times, 21 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
Adamson spends weekends hosting competitions, refereeing events and helping build a broader robotics community across South Florida.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The National Football League (NFL) must overhaul its inconsistent, poorly-performing, horse-and-buggy refereeing system.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Wyatt Earp, before his death in 1929, would sometimes come in for a drink after refereeing nearby boxing matches held in the area.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Ali Rampling, New York Times, 21 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
Adamson spends weekends hosting competitions, refereeing events and helping build a broader robotics community across South Florida.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The National Football League (NFL) must overhaul its inconsistent, poorly-performing, horse-and-buggy refereeing system.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Wyatt Earp, before his death in 1929, would sometimes come in for a drink after refereeing nearby boxing matches held in the area.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refereeing
Verb
-
Stars made sacrificial effort plays that could convince most spectators this was a playoff showdown — Jamal Murray diving into the second row to save a loose ball, Aaron Gordon developing a limp then playing through it to guard De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama on game-deciding possessions.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Daily use and care should also be considered when deciding whether to toss or keep.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But nobody seemed bothered Saturday night by the new stadium’s location, or by the work left to be done finishing it, or by the long delay realizing this night, or even by settling for a draw.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Joan asked, settling in beside them with a glass of white wine.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Officers responding to the initial call made no arrests after determining that no crime was committed, Mejia said.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Physical fitness, the body's ability to function properly, and the absence of disease are important factors in determining health, as is one's emotional, mental, and social state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Give it two to four weeks before judging results.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Sky won’t be judging SNL on its overnight ratings.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kagan and Barrett both pressed Sauer and Paul Clement, who argued on behalf of the RNC, about whether a decision in favor of the GOP would require election officials to complete other tasks on Election Day, such as adjudicating voters' qualifications.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
However, Attorney General Kris Kobach told McCabria at a hearing on Friday that the state would voluntarily refrain from invalidating anyone else’s driver’s licenses or adjudicating complaints about restroom usage until March 26, a month after the law took effect.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the next day, umpiring behind the plate, Bucknor took a foul ball flush in the mask in the second inning and had to come out of the game.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Evans actually spends time umpiring youth games.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Its jurisdiction over credits is especially powerful, arbitrating decisions that can shape careers, reputations, and earnings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Volunteers often are needed for low-level jobs that Quimby does willingly, including keeping track of how long a person is taking for a shower, arbitrating the line for use of two bathrooms, and moderating use of washers and driers.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refereeing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refereeing. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
