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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of referees
Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield confronted one of the referees.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The home crowd didn’t like the extra time the referees took to review the goal and didn’t like the call.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
One of those referees was named an NBA staff official for the 2025-26 campaign.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
That’s been done either by having referees call phantom penalties on Chiefs opponents or not flagging Kansas City players.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
The league announced a partnership Friday with the Chinese Basketball Association to help support the development of elite Chinese players, coaches and referees.
—Jessica Golden,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The Lynx lost that game, and then, with Collier in a boot on the bench and her coach suspended for excoriating the referees in her defense, came up short in the decisive Game Four, too.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
But referees picked up the flag, instead of calling holding on Jones, a 15-yard penalty that would have given Carolina a first down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
But the referees split over the degree to which Google had demonstrated bona fide quantum advantage.
—Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2025
In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield confronted one of the referees.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The home crowd didn’t like the extra time the referees took to review the goal and didn’t like the call.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
One of those referees was named an NBA staff official for the 2025-26 campaign.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
That’s been done either by having referees call phantom penalties on Chiefs opponents or not flagging Kansas City players.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
The league announced a partnership Friday with the Chinese Basketball Association to help support the development of elite Chinese players, coaches and referees.
—Jessica Golden,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The Lynx lost that game, and then, with Collier in a boot on the bench and her coach suspended for excoriating the referees in her defense, came up short in the decisive Game Four, too.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
But referees picked up the flag, instead of calling holding on Jones, a 15-yard penalty that would have given Carolina a first down.
—Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
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As Iglesias got close to the umps, the 57-year-old bespectacled manager pivoted and pulled Iglesias back, moved in front of him and held his ground while Iglesias and now Bogaerts shouted at the umpires.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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This led to a heated interaction between Padres players and the umpires.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The winner was chosen by an independent panel, which each year judges the entries on artistic achievement.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
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Joining judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough this week is former dancing pro Kym Johnson.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Orpheus, unwilling to have anything to do with women again, chooses to become a swan in his next life, while a swan decides to become a man.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Lawmakers will receive a 48-hour notice if the speaker changes his mind and decides to bring them back to vote.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Trust, however, is what determines adoption.—
Scott R. Schell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Collinsworth has invited coaches to come look at how PFF determines its ratings.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Boise and Treasure Valley residents have a chance to enjoy a beautiful fall Friday before a cold front bringing rainy weather and gusty winds settles into Southwest Idaho starting Saturday morning.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Oct. 2025
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But slowly, the truth settles in.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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