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
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Recent Examples of referees
Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
His fellow referees dressed as a fisherman, an admiral and a commander.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In the Chiefs' win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship, there were two calls in particular that drove the conversation about the referees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Back in January, Lil Wayne, who is a Green Bay Packers fan, shared his less than positive reaction to the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-14 victory against the Houston Texans on X, criticizing the referees for making controversial calls.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In addition, in 2021, the NBA and NBRA agreed to a policy requiring that referees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclanes turned his postgame comments into a critique of officiating Sunday after a 90-81 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, saying rookie guard Paige Bueckers deserved more protection from referees.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Keith Pilawski, 63, who led the program at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa since 2006, and Edwin Ortiz, 58, a government contractor who provided referees to officiate intramural games through his company, are now facing prison time, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Employees, also called dog referees, are trained on dog body language that can prevent attacks while cleaning up after each pet.
—Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
No other referees intervene in this system and the on-pitch official will review every goal, regardless of whether they are asked.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
His fellow referees dressed as a fisherman, an admiral and a commander.
—M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In the Chiefs' win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship, there were two calls in particular that drove the conversation about the referees.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Back in January, Lil Wayne, who is a Green Bay Packers fan, shared his less than positive reaction to the Kansas City Chiefs' 23-14 victory against the Houston Texans on X, criticizing the referees for making controversial calls.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
In addition, in 2021, the NBA and NBRA agreed to a policy requiring that referees be vaccinated against COVID-19.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Dallas Wings coach Chris Koclanes turned his postgame comments into a critique of officiating Sunday after a 90-81 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, saying rookie guard Paige Bueckers deserved more protection from referees.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025
Keith Pilawski, 63, who led the program at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa since 2006, and Edwin Ortiz, 58, a government contractor who provided referees to officiate intramural games through his company, are now facing prison time, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Employees, also called dog referees, are trained on dog body language that can prevent attacks while cleaning up after each pet.
—Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
-
Human umpires still call balls and strikes for Major League Baseball games, but a digital strike zone is displayed on screen that shows precisely where the ball actually goes.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
While walking back to the dugout, Contreras threw his bat in what appeared to be in the direction of one of the umpires.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Your point about being present reminds me of the scene where Jack judges the girl for taking a selfie on the rooftop and Heather calls him out.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
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As the performance came to its colorful conclusion, judges Simon Cowell and Spice Girl Mel B were immediately on the feet.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Because Gateway cousin track New Hampshire kicks off the next round, and another cousin track, Phoenix, decides the championship.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Dexter decides to gather all the files on him and other killers to take with him.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Employee feedback determines the winners.—
Julia Sullivan,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Mental discipline determines long-term success more than market knowledge.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the smoke settles (quite literally) and people return, their bodies suffer the consequences, and our hospitals have the evidence.—
Lahari Vuppaladhadiam,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That settles into a spicy suede with cardamom and benzoin, before warming into tonka bean, amber, and musk.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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