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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of referees
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 19 Sep. 2025
Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce said the criticism of the tush push is going to put the famed play under the microscope of referees moving forward.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
What the law changes Before SB 2929, referees and judges had to issue a verbal warning before ejecting a spectator.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025
In the past year, there has been talk of the Chiefs being lucky, getting help from the referees, etc.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Yet, Springfield Central coach William Watson and his group remained on the field, as the referees stood silently.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
These students eventually become professors, referees and editors.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The referees converged to discuss the call and agreed on the penalty.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
No other referees intervene in this system and the on-pitch official will review every goal, regardless of whether they are asked.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Peer review is often taken to be the gold standard for science, where if a scientific paper can pass peer review, that means it’s been reviewed by editors and referees to be correct, and that others vouch for it.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 19 Sep. 2025
Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce said the criticism of the tush push is going to put the famed play under the microscope of referees moving forward.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
What the law changes Before SB 2929, referees and judges had to issue a verbal warning before ejecting a spectator.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025
In the past year, there has been talk of the Chiefs being lucky, getting help from the referees, etc.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Yet, Springfield Central coach William Watson and his group remained on the field, as the referees stood silently.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
These students eventually become professors, referees and editors.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
The referees converged to discuss the call and agreed on the penalty.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
No other referees intervene in this system and the on-pitch official will review every goal, regardless of whether they are asked.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referees
Noun
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After the top of the first inning, several Yankees batters congregated on the third base line with manager Aaron Boone and the umpires.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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Major League Baseball Rule 21 prohibits anyone connected to the game-including players, umpires, and staff-from gambling on any baseball or softball game, regardless of the level.—
Bernie Pleskoff,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With Carrie Ann Inaba being on under the weather, judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were left to their own devices — leading to some unexpected and hilarious moments.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
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Your point about being present reminds me of the scene where Jack judges the girl for taking a selfie on the rooftop and Heather calls him out.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But Harold gets on famously with Duke William, at least until the Norman warlord decides to assert his claim to the English throne.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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When her studio head boss asks her to fire her head writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) to appease a toxic male movie star, Vance decides to walk away, and does it in on air.—
Megan Thomas,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In Gattaca, the 1997 sci-fi classic, a pair of siblings—one genetically engineered for perfection, the other naturally born—illustrate a dystopian vision where DNA determines destiny.—
Niven R. Narain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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An information court document allows prosecutors to charge someone directly and requires a probable cause hearing, during which a judge determines if there is sufficient evidence to proceed.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Cortège gestures toward that transcendence, but too often settles for the kind of veiled enchantment that follows us home through our screens.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Humanity, united by one language, settles on a plain in Shinar and begins constructing a tower to reach the heavens and make a name for themselves.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referees. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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