as in deciding
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
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Recent Examples of refereeing
Their first appearance in the FA Cup’s last 16 for 29 years meant, therefore, a first brush with this most controversial of refereeing tools.
—
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adamson spends weekends hosting competitions, refereeing events and helping build a broader robotics community across South Florida.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The National Football League (NFL) must overhaul its inconsistent, poorly-performing, horse-and-buggy refereeing system.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Wyatt Earp, before his death in 1929, would sometimes come in for a drink after refereeing nearby boxing matches held in the area.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
On the wall and in frames propped up behind me were pictures of Padilla’s refereeing career, and of boxers who’d been in his orbit.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Adamson spends weekends hosting competitions, refereeing events and helping build a broader robotics community across South Florida.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The National Football League (NFL) must overhaul its inconsistent, poorly-performing, horse-and-buggy refereeing system.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Wyatt Earp, before his death in 1929, would sometimes come in for a drink after refereeing nearby boxing matches held in the area.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
On the wall and in frames propped up behind me were pictures of Padilla’s refereeing career, and of boxers who’d been in his orbit.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refereeing
Verb
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Laporta responded to the crisis by deciding Barcelona could no longer afford Messi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain, and selling off some club assets, including 25% of its Spanish league TV rights for the next 25 years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
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For instance, deciding when to apply for renewal is a challenge.—
Gregory Royal Pratt,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lawyers told the judge Friday at a hearing in New York that seven states — Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota, all of which of Republican attorneys general — were joining the Justice Department in settling with the live music giant.—
Larry Neumeister,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Yielding 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to Wembanyama was how the Hornets (34-34) capped off their four-game, eight-day trip west of the Mississippi River, settling for a split.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Of course, lenders consider more than just income when determining whether to approve a loan, including factors such as credit score, credit history and outstanding debt.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
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Wildlife facilities generally evaluate disease status, parasitic load, behavioral fitness and genetic background when determining placement for animals that arrive under unusual circumstances.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At its hearing, the zoning commission acknowledged that some residents had called on Brassard to avoid any involvement with judging Silverman’s application.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
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As serious as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be, Butcher’s Stain doesn’t offer much more than a superficial lesson in judging books by covers.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, Attorney General Kris Kobach told McCabria at a hearing on Friday that the state would voluntarily refrain from invalidating anyone else’s driver’s licenses or adjudicating complaints about restroom usage until March 26, a month after the law took effect.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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The strategy, attorneys said, allows the government to avoid adjudicating the merits of immigration cases entirely.—
Ben Fenwick,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Evans actually spends time umpiring youth games.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Complaints to umpires by players and managers who disagree with a call are as old as umpiring itself.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Its jurisdiction over credits is especially powerful, arbitrating decisions that can shape careers, reputations, and earnings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Feb. 2026
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Volunteers often are needed for low-level jobs that Quimby does willingly, including keeping track of how long a person is taking for a shower, arbitrating the line for use of two bathrooms, and moderating use of washers and driers.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refereeing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refereeing. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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