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
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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
George Ramsay, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
Kerr, who also picked up a late technical, was irate and screamed at the referees after the final buzzer.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024
Fencing at the historic Grand Palais figures to get pretty loud, what with the clatter of blades and referees barking commands, the rumble of the crowd echoing off vaulted glass ceilings.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for referee 
Noun
That round-of-16 game ended in cruel fashion for the 36-year-old, who appeared to have saved Lina Hurtig’s penalty before a video assistant referee (VAR) review ruled that the ball had just crossed the line.
—George Ramsay, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
Kerr, who also picked up a late technical, was irate and screamed at the referees after the final buzzer.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
Disputes like this aren’t uncommon where defendants could be tried in multiple jurisdictions and require Justice Department headquarters to referee the competition.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024
Fencing at the historic Grand Palais figures to get pretty loud, what with the clatter of blades and referees barking commands, the rumble of the crowd echoing off vaulted glass ceilings.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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Betts clearly wasn’t happy as the umpire signaled for the out while security also made their way over.Ryan Morik, Fox News, 30 Oct. 2024
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Our umpires will even get involved and point out things to the kids.Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 29 Sep. 2024
Verb
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Following Wrinkles, Indiana took a 15-year hiatus from executions until Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb decided this year to resume them.Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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In these roles, PBMs decide what pharmacists and pharmacies are paid to dispense prescription medications.Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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For this year’s competition, a panel of expert judges blind-taste tested 2360 beers from 50 countries in 75 categories at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center in mid-September.Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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Showdown looms after judge sets hearing to close troubled L.A. juvenile hall.Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In recent years, programs such as grants to settle in Tuscan villages, and Mediterranean islands that sell homes for less than the price of a cup of coffee, have presented tempting opportunities for aspiring expats.Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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In 2021, Prime, Reddy and one of Prime’s doctors agreed to pay $37.5 million to settle allegations that Prime paid the doctor kickbacks for patient referrals, among other allegations.Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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However, Sullivan stressed that the key challenge now lies in determining how these groups will act to bring about meaningful change in the country.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
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But until last year, Globe noms were solely determined by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of fewer than 100 people based in and around LA.Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But there are also two provisions in state law that bar specific groups of people from casting ballots — those who have been adjudicated as incapacitated and people convicted of felonies who have not had their civil rights restored.Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 9 Dec. 2024
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The event is the culmination of season-long competition where marching band halftime shows are adjudicated by a panel of marching band experts.Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Disney’s argument was that Piccolo had allegedly entered into a subscriber agreement when signing up for a Disney+ trial years ago that requires users to arbitrate all disputes with the company.Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 2 Oct. 2024
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Representation is only part of the puzzle because developers will have to arbitrate between groups with different values.Daniel Björkegren, Foreign Affairs, 9 Aug. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near referee
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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