1
as in source
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information
the author's argument is interesting, but the lack of references makes me wonder if it can be proven
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as in to source
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reference
Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Throughout his music career, Cole has incorporated basketball images and references into his lyrics, performances and cover art.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Dakota Mortensen that was published by TMZ on Thursday.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference
Noun
Dubbed the Card Catalog Stamp Collection, this program allows visitors to visit the reference or information desk at any library to receive a genuine card catalog that once helped people navigate the Central Library's collection.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Throughout his music career, Cole has incorporated basketball images and references into his lyrics, performances and cover art.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, that was published by TMZ on Thursday.
—CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The statement appeared to reference a 2023 video of an altercation between Paul and Dakota Mortensen that was published by TMZ on Thursday.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reference
Noun
-
Its companion Renpho Health app (available for Android and iOS) tracks 50 health metrics, but some (like calories consumed and burned) rely on your input or external sources.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Lynn, frustrated not to know the source, began searching for it on her phone, but nothing came up.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the ’90s, the peninsula was taken over by a string of summer-only nightclubs, with little regard for the natural surroundings or the ancient cemetery buried in the pine forest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
In regards to playing or not, that’s going to be up to the performance of the team.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The battle is well documented in the country’s history books but this is believed to be the first time that archaeological investigations in connection with it have been undertaken, according to Uldum.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
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Scholars of Indonesian education such as Christopher Bjork and Robert Hefner have documented how distinct these traditions are from models that treat education primarily as a path to individual advancement and career preparation, which is the lens through which the AI tools viewed education.—
Gareth Barkin,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Offer clear feedback to a collaborator in private, so mutual respect strengthens and the path forward becomes simpler for both of you.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
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In that respect, the Kings took one of their best losses of the season Sunday, falling 116-99 to the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center in the fourth game of a five-game road trip.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reference. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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