as in vote
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 referendum
Fewer than 40% of voters voted for the referendum in multiple precincts.
—
Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Opponents are gathering signatures on a petition that could force a statewide referendum on the map and have also filed several lawsuits.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Britain formally left the European Union in January 2020, after years of negotiating with the bloc following a 2016 referendum.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
The Mahtomedi School Board last went out for a referendum in 2018; that measure, which raised the per-pupil levy, was approved by 55 percent of voters.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Opponents are gathering signatures on a petition that could force a statewide referendum on the map and have also filed several lawsuits.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
Britain formally left the European Union in January 2020, after years of negotiating with the bloc following a 2016 referendum.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
The Mahtomedi School Board last went out for a referendum in 2018; that measure, which raised the per-pupil levy, was approved by 55 percent of voters.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referendum
Noun
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What To Know Kretchmar won the mayoral election by a whisker, winning 917 votes to Republican incumbent Thomas Todd Hamilton's 904 votes.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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In Illinois, the state House’s top Republican has questioned whether Pritzker has enough votes on his side—and, given that Democrats already hold two of the state’s three House seats, even a successful effort might not gain them much.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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About 20% to 30% fewer ballots were cast in this election than in the 2021 gubernatorial recall.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The survey shows that on a generic ballot, 43 percent would choose a Democratic candidate, while 41 percent would choose a Republican candidate.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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