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
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as in to source
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Recent Examples of reference
Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Haigh went on to reference two of Haring’s most famous works, Radiant and Party of Life.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Those words, though, are likely a reference to a sequence of moves on a controller that unleashes a powerful bomb and accompanying phrase in a third-person shooter video game called Helldivers 2.
—Richard Hall, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reference
Noun
The drink is named after a song on Swift's album The Tortured Poets Department, which has been widely speculated to reference Kelce.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Haigh went on to reference two of Haring’s most famous works, Radiant and Party of Life.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Sartori also takes a global perspective, picking up references from all corners.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Those words, though, are likely a reference to a sequence of moves on a controller that unleashes a powerful bomb and accompanying phrase in a third-person shooter video game called Helldivers 2.
—Richard Hall, Time, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reference
Noun
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That's part of the 'framework' agreement for TikTok, which will also include new and existing investors in its Chinese parent company ByteDance, sources told CNBC's David Faber.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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As demand for electricity surged to power more electric devices in homes and Big Tech's boom in data centers, renewable energy has been the go-to source for the cheapest, fastest way to generate more juice.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Asked about his thinking and intentions in regards to conflict of interest disclosures by administrative law judges, Martin, the bill sponsor, responded via text with a question.—
Mario Ariza,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
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In this regard, Credo stands out as a high-risk but potentially high-reward investment in the infrastructure sector of the AI revolution.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis documented, the press are often participants, not merely neutral observers, in the Israel-Islamist conflict.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Such ingredients included cannabis extract and synthetic psychedelics whose effects and safety have not been formally documented or studied.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Clearly Putin is determined to see nothing less than the destruction of a democratic Ukraine tethered to Europe and has no respect for the international rule of law or his counterparts.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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The play’s revival at The Shed meets New York City in simplicity, inviting the audience’s spiritual imagination with respect to traditional Yoruba conventions of performance.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reference. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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