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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of referee
Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
The difficulty of the game was intensified after referee Leon Wood exited in the first half with a hamstring injury.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Moyer-Gleich will soon become only the second woman in NBA history to referee a playoff game.
—Tim Reynolds, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referee 
Noun
Dundee had to hold Ali back from complaining to the referee about Liston’s dirty fighting.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
The difficulty of the game was intensified after referee Leon Wood exited in the first half with a hamstring injury.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
Too many coaches want to referee the entire game instead of coaching their team.
—James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Moyer-Gleich will soon become only the second woman in NBA history to referee a playoff game.
—Tim Reynolds, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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During live gameplay, however, the players — and the general contours and colors of their outfits — are animated in a Nintendo Wii-esque style, as are the court, racquets, balls, umpires, ball people and spectators.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
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In the closing shot, he’s seen in the near-empty upper deck, enthusiastically challenging an umpire’s call.—
Chris Koseluk,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The top eight advanced direct to the last 16, while those clubs from ninth to 24th will contest a playoff to decide which eight teams join them.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
30 Jan. 2025
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Next up are games at the Intuit Dome on Saturday, including Sierra Canyon taking on Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in a game to decide the No. 2 seed for a Mission League tournament that begins Sunday.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For his history-making 2340 mute grab, the judges awarded Ogiwara an almost-perfect 97.33 to hand him the gold medal, almost three points ahead of his compatriot Taiga Hasegawa in second.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
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The judge canceled the initial 2020 sale of the property, but Madeira Beach continued its suit against Szczygielski again and he was still foreclosed upon the next year.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, California Waste Solutions settled, agreeing to refund customers and lower its rates.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
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Two days after giving birth, the parents eventually settled on Boston.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The investigators determined the vehicle was eastbound on E. Harwood Road at a high rate of speed, struck a curb, left the roadway, and crashed into the side of a building before catching fire.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Jan. 2025
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During the crash investigation, police determined that the driver of the Chevrolet had consumed alcoholic beverages and conducted an operating while intoxicated investigation.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Trump also ordered his Justice Department to take steps to throw out all pending indictments against Jan. 6 defendants whose cases have not yet been fully adjudicated — a decision that would shut down roughly 470 ongoing cases.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Under that policy, asylum seekers must stay across the border as their asylum cases are being adjudicated.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Finally, after the Japanese crushed them at the Battle of Tsushima, the Russians agreed to peace negotiations arbitrated by the United States.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 Dec. 2024
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And in March, his name was circulated as a possible candidate to chair the Expediency Council (which arbitrates disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council), a significant promotion.—
Sanam Vakil,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Apr. 2017
Thesaurus Entries Near referee
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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