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
Relevance
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
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The part-time nature of NFL referees is perhaps the most glaring problem.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Under pressure in 1975, the NFL began making referees available to a single pool reporter to explain controversial rulings upon request.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Many fans on social media scrutinized the referees' decision to rule the play as an interception.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The referees were busy at the United Center, handing out 10 penalties in the second period alone.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
In both cities, the Magic and the Grizzlies, alongside the NBA, are hosting a series of youth basketball development programming that will reach more than 2,500 youth, coaches and referees from across Germany and more than 5,000 youth, coaches and referees from across the UK.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
The Sailors went on another power play with just under two minutes left in overtime, and Pembroke was able to get a shot on and scored, but the referees called a no-goal against with just under a minute left.
—Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
The referees stole a win from Pittsburgh with a questionable interpretation of the rules.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
People talk about referees swallowing their whistles in the closing seconds of a one-point game.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The part-time nature of NFL referees is perhaps the most glaring problem.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Under pressure in 1975, the NFL began making referees available to a single pool reporter to explain controversial rulings upon request.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Many fans on social media scrutinized the referees' decision to rule the play as an interception.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The referees were busy at the United Center, handing out 10 penalties in the second period alone.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
In both cities, the Magic and the Grizzlies, alongside the NBA, are hosting a series of youth basketball development programming that will reach more than 2,500 youth, coaches and referees from across Germany and more than 5,000 youth, coaches and referees from across the UK.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
The Sailors went on another power play with just under two minutes left in overtime, and Pembroke was able to get a shot on and scored, but the referees called a no-goal against with just under a minute left.
—Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
The referees stole a win from Pittsburgh with a questionable interpretation of the rules.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
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The league will debut the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System to check the accuracy of umpires’ pitch calls.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 Dec. 2025
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Contemporary managers, executives and umpires will be considered in December 2026, classic era candidates in December 2027 and contemporary era players again in December 2028.—
Ronald Blum,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The winner was chosen by an independent panel, which each year judges the entries on artistic achievement.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
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Joining judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough this week is former dancing pro Kym Johnson.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And while Elliott would like to see Nielsen as the next CEO, if the board decides on someone else who is equally qualified, Elliott will support that decision.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
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Georgia grows tired of her husband and their nightly trips to the fancy French restaurant and decides to have an affair with another man at another table (Alan Howard).—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That means American users’ experience on the app is unlikely to change in a visible way, although the algorithm that determines what videos are served to their feeds could shift as the new ownership group takes control.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
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For rural health CIOs, foundational technology determines the success of these programs.—
David Chou,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On that list, Bryan settles behind Traveller by Chris Stapleton.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Whether or not this study settles the question of taxonomy, there’s much left to learn.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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