variants
or referendums
as in votes
an event in which the electorate votes for or against a law that deals with a specific issue
They are having a referendum so the public can decide the controversial issue.
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Recent Examples of referenda
The vast majority of big statewide races in Wisconsin the past 30 years have been, to some degree, referendums on an incumbent officeholder.
—
Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In 2022, referendums to become a part of Russia occurred in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 24 Aug. 2025
Christian Pulisic’s first competitive match in nearly three months was, at once, a run-of-the-mill, early-round Coppa Italia win for Milan against second-division Bari and the first of many referendums on his summer of rest.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Voters would have had to approve the referendums to release local funds and allow the public transit plans to move forward.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
They’ve been supposed referendums on what Notre Dame football can be in the modern age.
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
The death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, revived debates among Commonwealth countries about leaving the monarchy, with some planning referendums to vote on whether to remove Charles as head of state.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
While the island voted to remain French in referendums held in 1974 and 1976, neighboring Comoros has never recognized its sovereignty and continues to claim the archipelago as its own.
—Sam Mednick and Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In 2022, referendums to become a part of Russia occurred in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 24 Aug. 2025
Christian Pulisic’s first competitive match in nearly three months was, at once, a run-of-the-mill, early-round Coppa Italia win for Milan against second-division Bari and the first of many referendums on his summer of rest.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Voters would have had to approve the referendums to release local funds and allow the public transit plans to move forward.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
They’ve been supposed referendums on what Notre Dame football can be in the modern age.
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
The death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, revived debates among Commonwealth countries about leaving the monarchy, with some planning referendums to vote on whether to remove Charles as head of state.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
While the island voted to remain French in referendums held in 1974 and 1976, neighboring Comoros has never recognized its sovereignty and continues to claim the archipelago as its own.
—Sam Mednick and Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referenda
Noun
-
Eight execs polled before the season slotted Green Bay second behind Philadelphia in the conference (see their votes below).—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Four years ago, Biden enjoyed a lead of more than 100,000 votes in mail-in balloting, more than enough to overcome a narrow Trump lead in early voting and on Election Day itself.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Multiple candidates reported instances where caucus members who requested ballots did not receive them.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
-
North Rhine-Westphalia municipalities have had to reprint ballots and, in some cases, require postal voters to cast new ballots for elections on September 14.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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