refers (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of refer (to)
1
as in specifies
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically try not to refer to the recent death of her aunt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in goes (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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for refers (to)
  1. specifies
  2. consults
  3. mentions
  4. notices
  5. cites
  6. indicates
  7. notes
  8. quotes
Verb
  • Before sending any money, make sure the document specifies the total settlement amount, when each payment is due and that satisfying those terms will resolve the remaining balance as agreed.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The plan also specifies rezoning along major commercial corridors, including Winchester Boulevard and The Alameda.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of specifies
Verb
  • InStyle consults hair experts to discover the 15 trending hair colors for fall.
    — Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, an up-and-coming FBI agent who reluctantly consults imprisoned murderer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to track down a dangerous serial killer.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of consults
Verb
  • Elsesser mentions his natural collector’s streak and inclination toward abundance.
    — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Yet, remarkably, the editorial board never mentions this landmark 53-year-old legal framework designed to protect Chicago’s lakefront for the public.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of mentions
Verb
  • If those systems stand still, quality is often the first thing that slips before anyone notices.
    — Pete First, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Massi — with whom Joe feels Nathan is being too friendly — notices the tension between Joe and Nathan right away.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of notices
Verb
  • Sports remains the third pillar of the country strategy, according to Oishi, who cites Prime Video’s existing rights to MLB, NBA and live boxing coverage in Japan.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Ceuta’s local government cites a higher figure of about 9,000 people.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cites
Verb
  • The other component to note is the 0-line, which indicates whether the MACD is positive or negative, and by how much.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Preliminary information indicates that the officer encountered the suspect.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of indicates
Verb
  • Manchester United return to the Champions League after three years away, facing Azerbaijan outfit Sabah on… *checks notes* Thursday.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Brough notes this is an entirely new product, blending high-end craftsmanship with design thinking from both the performance car and motorcycle domains.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of notes
Verb
  • When the National Review advocates impeaching a Republican president and favorably quotes Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, that’s news.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
  • On the other hand, Hardwick quotes the leader of another troupe, who argues that kuda kepang performances should not include Islamic prayers.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of quotes
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.

Browse Nearby Words

refers
refers (to)
refer (to)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refers (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refers%20%28to%29. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of patina

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All