1
as in source
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information
the author's argument is interesting, but the lack of references makes me wonder if it can be proven
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to source
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reference
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 June 2026
La Ruche is up for sale from just €27,333 (for reference, this works out as roughly US$31,000), plus taxes.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2026
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
These word puzzles all covertly reference the years-old disappearance of Charlie, Martha’s brilliant older sister.
—The Know, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference
Noun
Although Shah was not explicit, this was an apparent reference to Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit in Florida.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 June 2026
La Ruche is up for sale from just €27,333 (for reference, this works out as roughly US$31,000), plus taxes.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2026
Verb
If a site's code is difficult to read and interpret, AI systems may be less likely to surface or reference that content.
—Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
These word puzzles all covertly reference the years-old disappearance of Charlie, Martha’s brilliant older sister.
—The Know, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reference
Noun
-
Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency cited a military source as saying today that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy has not issued permission for any vessels to transit until further notice.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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The agent can tell the planner where the source data came from, which parameters the calculation was based on, the decision-tree logic, and, for the mathematically minded, even the formula.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
No one will mistake Kentucky for Georgia or Alabama, but the Wildcats were a really solid program under former head coach Mark Stoops with regard to both development and production on the field.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
-
No one was his equal in that regard.—
Warren Littlefield,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Clinical psychologists Hillary Halpern and Maureen Perry-Jenkins documented that the transition from single life to fatherhood is often accompanied by a roller coaster of emotions.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Cooper explains that while scientists have documented placebo responses for centuries, the phenomenon gained broader recognition in the early 20th century as researchers realized patients often improved even after receiving inactive treatments.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
There was enough notice for other cast members to swing by and pay their respects, too.—
Josh Wigler,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
-
To write about the Earth like that meant showing it some respect, even if the form of my respect was not grammatically acceptable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reference. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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