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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of referendum
The Insider's Track Happy Monday and happy election day to our friends and neighbors up north,
Canadians will go to the polls today in an election that has more or less become a referendum on Trump, tariffs and the country's relationship with America.
—
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Then the reform-minded district attorney of Multnomah County, where Portland is located, was ousted by one of his own prosecutors, in a ballot seen as a referendum for greater accountability.
—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
The first referendum for Quebec to separate from Canada was held in 1980.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
The British currency, which plummeted in the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum, has failed to fully recover in the nine years since the vote was held.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Then the reform-minded district attorney of Multnomah County, where Portland is located, was ousted by one of his own prosecutors, in a ballot seen as a referendum for greater accountability.
—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025
The first referendum for Quebec to separate from Canada was held in 1980.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
The British currency, which plummeted in the immediate aftermath of the EU referendum, has failed to fully recover in the nine years since the vote was held.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referendum
Noun
-
The resolution will be brought to the entire DNC body for a final vote.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
-
Trump had campaigned on ending taxes on Social Security benefits but that proposal would have run afoul of a special procedure Republicans are using to push through the tax law changes without any Democratic votes.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Trump has gained support in McHenry County over the last few election cycles, with 51% of voters there casting a ballot for him in 2020 and 2016.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
Four council seats and the mayor’s seat will be on the November ballot.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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