as in umpire
a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy
served as the unofficial referee in disputes over the family business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to decide
to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute)
their father usually ends up refereeing any disputes concerning use of the big TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of referee
Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025
Earlier in the season, Chase had expressed his frustration with the referees after a controversial call during the Bengals-Chiefs matchup in September.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Chantz Martin, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum complains to referee Kevin Cutler during Friday's 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Boston.
—Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
Musselman, agitated, barked at referees on their way off the floor.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 15 Feb. 2025
Earlier in the season, Chase had expressed his frustration with the referees after a controversial call during the Bengals-Chiefs matchup in September.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
There are usually mixed reactions when NFL referees flag pass interference.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum complains to referee Kevin Cutler during Friday's 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Boston.
—Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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There’s even a focus on a highly efficient umpire/teacher with romantic commitment issues venturing into the online dating world — dazzlingly reimagined as a videogame by Pixar’s animators.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2025
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The second focuses on Frank (Josh Thomson), the fearful umpire and school teacher who tries to hide from everyone.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Not least of which, how exactly does best picture get decided?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
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Hamel recently decided to adjust his delivery, eliminating a higher leg kick and being shorter and more efficient to the plate.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As reported, judges had also placed an Italian subsidiary of Dior, which produced handbags for the French brand, under the same form of special administration, again for lack of control over its supply chain.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
19 Feb. 2025
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Arkansas had removed its work requirements after a federal judge ruled that such policies resulted in a significant number of people losing health coverage, which goes against Medicaid’s rules.—
Margaret Coker,
ProPublica,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Here, any sedimentary layers that settle to the bed of the brine pool remain exquisitely intact.—
Christina Shaw,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
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Powell had to settle for a showing in Saturday night’s 3-point contest.—
Law Murray,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The rule allows anything determined not to have a direct budgetary consequence to be removed from the bill.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
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The data also helps to identify specific areas that are contributing to higher or lower inflation to determine if such variables are persistent or temporary disruptions.—
Chris Gunster,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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At lunch, things become fraught between Shep and Taylor because Taylor is trying to adjudicate the fallout of her relationship with Shep through his new relationship with Sienna.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2025
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He was found not guilty on seven other charges as well, but the jury has not finished adjudicating ...—
Jeffrey Blehar,
National Review,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated on an individual basis, and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party.—
TIME for Kids,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
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McDonough was obligated to arbitrate his claims, as opposed to litigating them.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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