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
The race, like most midterm contests, is shaping up to be a referendum on the president, who is underwater nationally in nearly every poll.
—
Garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 May 2026
The ballot measure may prove to be a referendum of how much the council is in step with Lee at a time when Oakland’s leaders are contemplating how the city’s divisions of power could be reshaped.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
The referendum backed state lawmakers’ temporary suspension of the state constitution’s redistricting rules.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The new map was drawn by Democrats and approved by Virginia voters in an April referendum.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 May 2026
The ballot measure may prove to be a referendum of how much the council is in step with Lee at a time when Oakland’s leaders are contemplating how the city’s divisions of power could be reshaped.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
The referendum backed state lawmakers’ temporary suspension of the state constitution’s redistricting rules.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The new map was drawn by Democrats and approved by Virginia voters in an April referendum.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referendum
Noun
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Most bills are subject to a filibuster and thus need 60 votes for passage — meaning Republicans must find some Democratic support in the 53-47 Senate.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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The judge also invalidated the appointment of the current ACIP, all votes taken by it, and further meetings, until a trial.—
Jesse L. Goodman,
STAT,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Many Democrats, spooked by the prospect of their party being frozen out in June’s top-two primary, have been clinging to their ballots, intending to vote at the last moment for whichever Democrat appears likeliest to finish first.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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With ballots already in voters’ hands and a large share of the electorate still undecided, Thursday’s showdown offered one last, high‑stakes chance to draw contrasts.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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