referees 1 of 2

noun

plural of referee
as in umpires
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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referees

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of referee
as in judges
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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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 referees
Noun
At the 2026 World Cup, the referees’ job hasn’t gotten easier as the technology around them has improved. — Oded Netzer, Fortune, 13 July 2026 Other volunteer roles include language services for visitors from other countries, event transportation, and accreditation for non-ticket holders such as players and referees. — Eric Nager, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026 The Falklands War of 1982 is still preventing English referees from officiating Argentina games. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 12 July 2026 After countries nominate their most consistently top officials, FIFA carefully reviews the candidates and narrows down an elite list of potential referees, assistant referees and video assistant referees. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026 Collina said that such allegations could provoke threats against referees and their families. — Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2026 Real-time data also goes to match referees to determine whether the ball has crossed the goal-line. — ABC News, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
  1. umpires
  2. judges
  3. decides
  4. determines
  5. settles
Noun
  • When Ian Happ made the final out of the frame, the umpires convened and called a delay, a rare stoppage because of the fog-shrouded Wrigley Field.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Contreras has always been an overheating boiler of a ballplayer, with a history of arguing with umpires, throwing bats and helmets, and willing to charge the mound over any slight, real or imagined.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of umpires
Verb
  • But on the third day of qualifying for Wimbledon 2026, a power outage downed the electronic line-calling system that judges whether shots are in or out, causing matches across 18 courts to be suspended for over an hour.
    — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • The order created an AI Litigation Task Force inside the DOJ, gave it until January 10 to stand up, and pointed it at any state rule the administration judges too heavy a burden on the technology.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of judges
Verb
  • Lacey hates this idea, but the group decides to go with showing mercy this time around.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • When design makes your information legible to an agent, data keeps it consistent everywhere the agent looks and policy decides what your own agent can do, your brand becomes reliable to deal with.
    — Firdosh Tangri, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of decides
Verb
  • Sweet potatoes are also classified by their skin color – orange, white, or purple — which also determines their texture when cooked.
    — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 13 July 2026
  • Based on your salary, expenses, number of children and other factors, the school determines eligibility.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 13 July 2026
Definition of determines
Verb
  • Choose a soothing activity, maybe watercolor, music, cooking, or a quiet walk, and give it your full attention so your spirit settles.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Merchants pay interchange on card payments and hold working balances that earn them nothing, and a coin that settles instantly, costs less to accept and, under Open USD’s model, pays them the yield on their balances answers both at once.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of settles

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refereeing
referees
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Cite this Entry

“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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