Synonyms of referees

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• umpires
• judges
• arbitrators
• moderators
• negotiators
• arbiters
• magistrates
• jurists
• adjudicators
• mediators
• justices
• intermediaries
• intermediates
• conciliators
• peacemakers
• reconcilers
• mediatrixes
• troubleshooters
• deciders
• go-betweens

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• judges
• decides
• umpires
• determines
• settles
• adjudges
• arbitrates
• adjudicates
• rules (on)
• considers
• resolves
• hears
• prosecutes
• weighs
• concludes
• deems
• moderates
• tries
• finds (for or against)
• deliberates
• ponders
• mediates
• sizes up
• negotiates
• redetermines
• rejudges

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hedges
• skirts
• equivocates
• pussyfoots

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of referees

Noun

The state compared Atrium to a soccer team whining about the referees. — Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

Dulcich would have also been flagged for holding a few times if referees were at practice. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026

The league office needs to send a directive to all team owners, coaches, players and referees, to stop this behavior and play like professionals. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

His previous spell on the Bernabeu bench was filled with arguments and feuds, with the Portuguese angrily taking on referees, journalists, opposition coaches and even his own players. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

The other problem is that the referees addressed that exact question after the game. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

In the early hours of the following morning, four referees who officiated the match were allegedly taken to a massage parlor by the KFA, which spent 760,000 Korean won ($536). — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

The organization ordered a moment of silence to be observed at all matches across all categories of Argentine soccer and mandated that players, referees and coaching staff wear black armbands. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

For a moment, two referees from the Falcons’ seventh training camp practice looked at each other, conversed and truly didn’t know what to rule. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 5 Aug. 2026