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
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Recent Examples of referee
Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 18 Mar. 2025
The rules: Tennis is all about manners — until a player smashes a racket or throws a water bottle at the referee's chair.
—Martin Vassolo, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
Although the Chiefs won 23-14 and moved on to the AFC Championship match against the Buffalo Bills tomorrow, their victory has been clouded by accusations that the NFL referees in the game were blatantly favoring Mahomes.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
Carlsson pushed it across just as the referee behind the net waved off the goal for goalie interference on Strome.
—Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 18 Mar. 2025
The rules: Tennis is all about manners — until a player smashes a racket or throws a water bottle at the referee's chair.
—Martin Vassolo, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Since the Chiefs’ 23-14 win last weekend over the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional playoff game, some NFL pundits — and many, many fans of other teams — have been sharing a narrative that NFL referees favor Kansas City.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
Although the Chiefs won 23-14 and moved on to the AFC Championship match against the Buffalo Bills tomorrow, their victory has been clouded by accusations that the NFL referees in the game were blatantly favoring Mahomes.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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Hopefully, the umpires don’t get discouraged or upset that people are doing it.—
Justice delos Santos,
The Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2025
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Extra bases: The first three times a call by home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski was challenged, his call was overturned by an ABS review.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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He's even spent some time deciding what his future grandkids will call him.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2025
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No matter how it is eventually decided, the race to host the 2036 Olympics is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent years.—
Blythe Lawrence,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The implementation was blocked in federal court and has thus sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth with Boasberg, a chief judge.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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Gil-Martinez was also arrested on Jan. 10 and accused of violating the order put in place by a judge after the first arrest.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The couple had eventually settled in the UAE after emigrating from Iran in the revolution’s wake.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2025
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Student loans and tax debts typically cannot be settled through this method, either.—
Gabriel Rodríguez,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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There is currently no information on the containment of the fire and its cause has not yet been determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Mar. 2025
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The man’s cause and manner of death will be determined following an autopsy, authorities said.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Promoter reserves the right to verify eligibility and to adjudicate on any dispute at any time.—
TIME.com,
TIME.com,
24 Mar. 2025
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The big issue going into the finale is what Ryan told Venita that JT supposedly told his barber about her, and this is an issue that is almost impossible to adjudicate.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The 47th president has regularly tested the limits of executive power, setting up confrontations that the courts are likely to be arbitrating for months and years ahead.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
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In what city must disputes be brought if litigated or arbitrated?—
AllBusiness,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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