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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of referees
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Artan is considered one of the best referees in Africa, having officiated in the Somali national football league championship and at the African Cup of Nations.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
These cards are shown by referees to discipline players or team officials, including managers, who have committed fouls or other offenses during a match, such as verbal abuse, time wasting, and unsporting behavior.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
That’s a pretty good crop of referees, according to the players.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Players covering their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt will be given red cards if referees deem it not to be a friendly conversation, FIFA said.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Mini Vikingo hit a springboard dropkick behind the referees back, and Wagner followed up with a Made in Japan on Vikingo for a nearfall.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
After referees called Wembanyama on a foul on Karl-Anthony Towns, a review determined that Towns had been the one to commit a foul, an offensive foul, by hooking Wembanyama with his arm.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Artan is considered one of the best referees in Africa, having officiated in the Somali national football league championship and at the African Cup of Nations.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
These cards are shown by referees to discipline players or team officials, including managers, who have committed fouls or other offenses during a match, such as verbal abuse, time wasting, and unsporting behavior.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
That’s a pretty good crop of referees, according to the players.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Players covering their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt will be given red cards if referees deem it not to be a friendly conversation, FIFA said.
—Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Mini Vikingo hit a springboard dropkick behind the referees back, and Wagner followed up with a Made in Japan on Vikingo for a nearfall.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
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But the umpires confirmed the home run, coupling Adell with Canseco in numerous social media posts.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
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Johnson was ejected after leaving the dugout and arguing with the umpires.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The truck just leans into the work and gets on with life like a ranch foreman who drinks coffee black and silently judges your hitch setup.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 May 2026
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Portnoy travels to cities around the world and judges their pizza scene by taking a single bite (or more) of a cheese pizza and giving it a review.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Deborah decides to pursue treatment after all, if only to buy enough time to work a little more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This Is Where the Serpent Lives is a systems novel about who gets to have ambition in the first place in a country where a person’s caste still determines so much of the course of their lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The report by the city auditor’s office found that there are gaps in how the city assesses costs, collects data and determines successful outcomes for unsheltered residents.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Clouds will gradually increase overnight as a cold front settles south toward the Red River.—
Nelly Carreño,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Stick with alcohol-free, subtle formulas so the scent settles into the fabric rather than shouts from it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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