as in to apply
to have a relation or connection
I don't think that rule of play refers to this particular situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to specify
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
try not to refer to the recent death of her aunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to go (to)
to use or seek out as a source of aid, relief, or advantage
she studied so she wouldn't have to refer to the book during the exam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refer
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Gille is being held on $1 million bond and has been referred for a psychiatric evaluation to determine his competence to stand trial.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 19 Aug. 2025
That office referred its investigation up the chain to the lawmakers on the House Ethics Committee, which in January 2025 was reviewing the matter.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025
In efforts to describe a broader range of unexplained sightings, the U.S. government shifted to the term UAP in lieu of UFO, as the latter refers specifically to flying objects.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer
Verb
However, the deal faced significant regulatory pressure when the FCC referred the agreement to an administrative law judge, effectively killing it since the review would have run past the merger deadline all parties agreed to.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Gille is being held on $1 million bond and has been referred for a psychiatric evaluation to determine his competence to stand trial.
—John Wisely, Freep.com, 19 Aug. 2025
That office referred its investigation up the chain to the lawmakers on the House Ethics Committee, which in January 2025 was reviewing the matter.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025
In efforts to describe a broader range of unexplained sightings, the U.S. government shifted to the term UAP in lieu of UFO, as the latter refers specifically to flying objects.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refer
Cite this Entry
“Refer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refer. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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