REFERS (TO) Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

refers (to)

verb

present tense third-person singular of refer (to)

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

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)

Verb

But any agreement that specifies which uses of AI are taboo would be better than a status quo that prohibits none.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
However, the contract lists Sacramento as Kennah's office and specifies the lower rate.

— Tyler Horst, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of specifies

Verb

In a Silence of the Lambs nod, Vision consults Ultron for insight into Paladin’s predator mind-set but quickly realizes Ultron leaked his location, enabling the attack.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Once a concept is approved, the team consults its roster of dancers to find someone who can embody the character and complement the choreographer’s vision.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of consults

Verb

Then stopped writing, and took a job at the post office (someone mentions Bukowski, don’t worry) for forty years.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
But nearly every government banning social media platforms for young people mentions their mental health as a reason.

— Ari Lightman, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mentions

Verb

On a recent Monday morning in Santa Monica, beach volleyball phenom Sally Perez steps onto the sand and immediately notices that all the nets are hung to men’s standard height, not women’s.

— Katie Abel, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Her 7-year-old hears the conversations around her, sees the protests in her community and notices the visiting canal personnel.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of notices

Verb

To support that conclusion, Gates cites a demand in Washburn’s petition to CWP that would prohibit the council from doing any outreach that promotes the role of hunting in wildlife management fully six months before an election.

— Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Officer Key cites the duo's relationships with nonprofit organizations as a plus when an older adult needs help.

— Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cites

Verb

The thread also indicates the account was previously approved by a China Webull team member and an American counterpart.

— Eamon Javers,Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
The full force of the deal will not take effect until both parties have complied with its closing conditions, which the agreement indicates could happen within months.

— Cate Brown, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of indicates

Verb

Hobbs' team notes that the Phoenix area is still one of the top spots in the country for new home construction.

— Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Lindsey Burnett, a urogynecologist and assistant professor at UC San Diego who co-authored the study, notes that lower urinary tract symptoms that look and feel like a UTI can be caused by things other than bacteria.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of notes

Verb

Ledgebrook gave him a bot that quotes live against its systems at prices about 25% higher than the company would normally charge.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Each clinic quotes differently, communicates differently, and plans recovery differently, and the patient does the reconciling, usually in a second language and sometimes on their own.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 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

Style

“Refers (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refers%20%28to%29. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of refers (to)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

puissant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes