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
While city officials showed early interest, O’Connell’s office asked to pause discussions until after the November 2024 transit referendum.
—
Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
Opponents of a sweeping expansion to the state’s gun law last year moved to put a referendum before voters on whether the new statute should stand or be eliminated.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Suarez called for a special meeting Friday to send a referendum to the November ballot that would align the city with the national election cycle.
—Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
That means there will not be a referendum on the November ballot.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025
Opponents of a sweeping expansion to the state’s gun law last year moved to put a referendum before voters on whether the new statute should stand or be eliminated.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Suarez called for a special meeting Friday to send a referendum to the November ballot that would align the city with the national election cycle.
—Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
That means there will not be a referendum on the November ballot.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referendum
Noun
-
Unlike formal speeches or parliamentary votes, a podcast answer can be easily downplayed or disowned.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Walz’s proposal, if put to a vote, likely needs bipartisan support to pass.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Springer transformed from payroll anchor to potential down-ballot MVP candidate.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Lawmakers in California responded in kind, approving a measure to put a proposal on the November ballot that would suspend current redistricting rules and allow Democrats to gain a similar number of seats.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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