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 Oklahoma Legislature could put it on the ballot by sending a referendum to the polls.
—
Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Feb. 2026
On the morning of our interview, the Financial Times reported that on February 24, the four-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, Zelensky would announce plans to hold presidential elections and a referendum on a peace agreement.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
According to the president's office, such a referendum would only be valid if more than half of the country's eligible voters are able to participate.
—Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
The election had a dual mandate, with the party election as well as a simultaneous referendum to approve a process for a new constitution approved by 60 percent voters.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Feb. 2026
On the morning of our interview, the Financial Times reported that on February 24, the four-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, Zelensky would announce plans to hold presidential elections and a referendum on a peace agreement.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
According to the president's office, such a referendum would only be valid if more than half of the country's eligible voters are able to participate.
—Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
The election had a dual mandate, with the party election as well as a simultaneous referendum to approve a process for a new constitution approved by 60 percent voters.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referendum
Noun
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Tennessee earned 36 points and Kentucky 15 among the eight other teams receiving votes.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Minnesota is currently the only team among the top seven of the Big Ten not to be nationally ranked, though that situation may change when Monday’s latest Associated Press poll is released — the Gophers fell two votes shy in last week’s Top 25 polling.—
Staff Report,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Referenda can be advisory or binding; so far, in the Illinois primary for 2026, all referenda on ballots appear to be advisory referenda.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
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But in the opening minutes of his first stop at a local restaurant, the president raised debunked claims of voter fraud, talked up his plan to require voters to show identification before casting ballots, and discussed the recent FBI raid of election offices in the state’s most populous county.—
Jeff Amy,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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