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
Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
France Libre is a direct reference to General Charles de Gaulle's resistance movement, which joined Allied forces to help liberate France and Europe from the Nazis during World War II, Macron said.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
In the 2018 paper, the authors reference this theory and speculate that a cervicovaginal fluid allergy serves the same purpose.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference
Noun
To return to the Hangover reference, the event that Bagworm is headed to — circling it like water down a drain rather than an arrow to a bullseye — is a friend’s bachelor party in Vegas.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
France Libre is a direct reference to General Charles de Gaulle's resistance movement, which joined Allied forces to help liberate France and Europe from the Nazis during World War II, Macron said.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Trump did not reference a specific article from the New York Times.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
In the 2018 paper, the authors reference this theory and speculate that a cervicovaginal fluid allergy serves the same purpose.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reference
Noun
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Academically, no; the call for honest and accurate citation of one’s sources will, and must, ring out as forcefully as ever.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center says the animals have played an integral role in the state's history and ecology and served as a staple food source for people living in the region as far back as the Paleo-Indian period.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In that regard, news this past week of a seemingly inevitable NBA expansion — most likely to Seattle and Las Vegas in 2028-29 — hardly impacts the thinking at the moment of yet another at-all-costs Heat scramble for the playoffs.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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Afterward, the mutual regard and camaraderie among Utah State’s players stood out.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her work documenting and preserving endangered languages uses a little bit of both.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
19 Mar. 2026
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There have still been many instances where a contestant’s past flies under the radar, but that is clearly not the case here, since the allegations against Frankie Paul have been well documented and have even been a point of discussion on previous seasons of Mormon Wives.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In response, my father established the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, or MOSOP, which mobilized Ogoni people to fight for a greater share of the oil wealth and demand more respect for our natural environment.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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And both players starred for their respect programs in 2025.—
Mike Kaye
March 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reference. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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