as in umpires
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
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as in judges
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 referees
Alejandra Arteaga, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
The midfielder, aged 16 years and 75 days, isn’t allowed in the same dressing room as the adults, and gets changed in his own space near the referees’ room.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Mar. 2026
In a news conference earlier this week, Yormark said the league was receiving feedback about the court from players and coaches, adding that referees had complimented it.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Two free throws would have won me the bet, but the referees ignored the foul, and the game ended.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
On a possession-by-possession basis, teammates, opponents, referees and fans barely know what to expect, and that’s been the entire point of watching even a few seconds of him in action.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The referees quickly flagged it for goaltending, and with it, Hall set the program record for most points in a season by a freshman.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Sitting at his locker with his elbow wrapped in ice, James expressed frustration with referees not calling a foul on the play that led to his injury.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Video showed two referees, multiple teammates and staff members quickly working to separate the women and referee Marla Gearhar was knocked to the floor in the melee.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
On this pitch there's no goalkeepers, no grass, no referees.
—Alejandra Arteaga, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
The midfielder, aged 16 years and 75 days, isn’t allowed in the same dressing room as the adults, and gets changed in his own space near the referees’ room.
—Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 17 Mar. 2026
In a news conference earlier this week, Yormark said the league was receiving feedback about the court from players and coaches, adding that referees had complimented it.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Two free throws would have won me the bet, but the referees ignored the foul, and the game ended.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
On a possession-by-possession basis, teammates, opponents, referees and fans barely know what to expect, and that’s been the entire point of watching even a few seconds of him in action.
—James Jackson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The referees quickly flagged it for goaltending, and with it, Hall set the program record for most points in a season by a freshman.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Sitting at his locker with his elbow wrapped in ice, James expressed frustration with referees not calling a foul on the play that led to his injury.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Video showed two referees, multiple teammates and staff members quickly working to separate the women and referee Marla Gearhar was knocked to the floor in the melee.
—CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
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The hope is that Pivetta’s four-seamer is too enticing for hitters to lay off, because there’s no more hoping that umpires can be coaxed into seeing things your way.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Menzel pulled into second, as the left-fielder briefly raised his arms, but resumed running as the umpires indicated the ball was still live.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With that in mind, here are the top 10 starters with at least 100 pitches thrown this spring so far, ranked by Stuff+, which judges pitches by their physical qualities alone.—
Eno Sarris,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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On Monday, Ninth Circuit judges Holly Thomas, Anthony Johnstone, and Joan Lefkow held an oral argument.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the original script, Laura, despite becoming aware of the twisted role into which she’s been cast, decides to stay with Betty’s family.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Martinez Lake temperature won’t be deemed a new national March heat record unless the National Centers for Environment Information decides to investigate it.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Federal protections set a baseline, state laws can strengthen them considerably, and the type of debt involved determines how quickly and aggressively a creditor can act.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
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The math that drives political consensus isn’t the same math that determines economic outcomes.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dynamism fades, and stasis settles in.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Your 12th House of Subtlety wakes as the Moon settles into Aries, inviting gentle reflection by writing a private note to capture feelings before obligations crowd your day.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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