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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of referendum
But all possibilities are on the table, even a referendum, depending on what action the council decides to take.
—
Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Chesa Boudin’s brief tenure as the avowedly progressive district attorney in San Francisco ended with his removal by voter referendum and contributed to the tech backlash that helped power Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
What began as a fight over rights ended as a referendum on priorities.
—Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Besides making Mamdani part of their own referendum, Trump's allies are looking to hound other Democrats outside of his ideological orbit.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025
Chesa Boudin’s brief tenure as the avowedly progressive district attorney in San Francisco ended with his removal by voter referendum and contributed to the tech backlash that helped power Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
What began as a fight over rights ended as a referendum on priorities.
—Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Besides making Mamdani part of their own referendum, Trump's allies are looking to hound other Democrats outside of his ideological orbit.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referendum
Noun
-
Follow the directions and submit your vote before 2:30 a.m. ET.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
Nessel's office has argued the group knowingly intended to defraud voters in Michigan by trying to cast electoral votes for Trump, despite his election loss in the state in 2020.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Prop 2 is a statewide ballot measure California voters passed in 2008 that created welfare mandates for farm animals such as egg-laying hens.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
Supporters haven’t decided whether to launch a petition drive to try to qualify the measure for the 2026 ballot.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share