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 referees called a play dead over an inadvertent whistle that set up another third-down play. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

But the referees ruled the ball was blown dead before the fumble. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

And it was destined to fail, to do more harm than good, at the moment soccer’s lawmakers left both decisions entirely in the hands of referees. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

That may come in the form of a big special-teams play, a heads-up stop by a defender or even questionable calls by the referees. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 2026

Yellow flags Nothing did more damage to UConn’s defense in Saturday’s opener than the little yellow flags that fluttered onto the field from the referees’ waistband. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

The new rules mandated that referees stop play for a ten-minute hydration break that allows players to drink fluids, change clothes, or shower in their locker room. — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

Although referees tried to separate them, the fight escalated as more Keystone Oaks coaches came onto the field and fought with the Canton, according to the criminal complaint. — Matt Foster, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026