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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of referee
Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
The difficulty of the game was intensified after referee Leon Wood exited in the first half with a hamstring injury.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Tim Reynolds, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Real Madrid results with José María Sánchez Martínez In total, Sánchez Martínez has refereed 35 Real Madrid fixtures, more than any other team and followed by Barcelona with 34.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referee 
Noun
Dundee had to hold Ali back from complaining to the referee about Liston’s dirty fighting.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
The difficulty of the game was intensified after referee Leon Wood exited in the first half with a hamstring injury.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
Moyer-Gleich will soon become only the second woman in NBA history to referee a playoff game.
—Tim Reynolds, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
Real Madrid results with José María Sánchez Martínez In total, Sánchez Martínez has refereed 35 Real Madrid fixtures, more than any other team and followed by Barcelona with 34.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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During live gameplay, however, the players — and the general contours and colors of their outfits — are animated in a Nintendo Wii-esque style, as are the court, racquets, balls, umpires, ball people and spectators.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
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In the closing shot, he’s seen in the near-empty upper deck, enthusiastically challenging an umpire’s call.—
Chris Koseluk,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Content creators and influencers must decide what to do with the looming TikTok ban.—
Emma Cortes Ellendt,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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By April 2024, Zellner decided to file a clemency petition asking that Pritzker exonerate Calusinski or release her for time served.—
Stephanie Slifer,
CBS News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The judges include Ralph Lauren, Jay Leno, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, and Henry Ford III.—
Ben Oliver,
Robb Report,
14 Jan. 2025
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The tax crimes carried a maximum sentence of 17 years while the penalty for the gun crimes was capped at 25 years, although typical sentences are less and the judges didn't have to give Hunter Biden any jail or prison time.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Invitation agreed to settle the lawsuit for $48 million.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Jan. 2025
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Musk, as the head of Tesla, has enormous economic exposure to China through the automaker and will want trade policy between the two superpowers to be settled as soon as possible rather than let tensions rise.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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During the crash investigation, police determined that the driver of the Chevrolet had consumed alcoholic beverages and conducted an operating while intoxicated investigation.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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The 1-year LPR determines rates on corporate and most household loans, while the 5-year LPR acts as a reference for mortgage loans.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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By way of record and hype, the two were considered the best contenders out of the Big 12, and the conference championship game was expected to adjudicate their respective legitimacy.—
J.J. Bailey,
The Athletic,
28 Dec. 2024
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Anyone adjudicated incompetent by a court in a guardianship proceeding or was ordered into protective placement is also prohibited from possessing a gun.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Finally, after the Japanese crushed them at the Battle of Tsushima, the Russians agreed to peace negotiations arbitrated by the United States.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 Dec. 2024
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And in March, his name was circulated as a possible candidate to chair the Expediency Council (which arbitrates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council), a significant promotion.—
Sanam Vakil,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Apr. 2017
Thesaurus Entries Near referee
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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