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

That is, until the referees wiped it off the board because Bell’s toe had stepped out-of-bounds prior to the catch. — Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

As referees stopped Charlie Adams’ corner kick to separate a pair of players in the box, Adams whispered for Barea to come closer. — Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026

Lots of fans of other teams have falsely believed the Chiefs received help from the referees during Kansas City’s dynasty. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

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

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