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
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
Looking back, the final is marked out by intentional fouling, the first red card in a World Cup final and plenty of simulation, including diving – a ploy players use to deceive referees and get a favorable call.
—Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Noun
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
Looking back, the final is marked out by intentional fouling, the first red card in a World Cup final and plenty of simulation, including diving – a ploy players use to deceive referees and get a favorable call.
—Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
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After conferring, the umpires agreed, ruling her out.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
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Nor does Moeller have to confer with the umpires’ crew chief over lightning in the area or forecasted rain that might halt play in the middle innings.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
26 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
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Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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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
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The high-risk events identified in NPR's analysis include multiple high-profile matches, such as the game that determines which team takes home third place in the World Cup, and the World Cup final.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
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Triage — the systematic process of prioritizing patients by the severity of their condition — determines the length of the delay.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
See how things look after the dust settles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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