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
Relevance
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
Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
Frustrated by the referee's enforcement of rope breaks during an Extreme Rules match, Cena physically retaliated against the official, culminating in a clothesline.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
It has not yet been made clear if Kahler will referee the match.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
Following the act of protest, the referee of the University of Maryland match -- which was not an NCAA tournament -- issued a black card to Turner, removing her from the competition.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
Frustrated by the referee's enforcement of rope breaks during an Extreme Rules match, Cena physically retaliated against the official, culminating in a clothesline.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
The National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., which referees appeals between state Guard units and troops, serves largely in an advisory role.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
It has not yet been made clear if Kahler will referee the match.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
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Twins manager tossed Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was ejected from the game in the bottom of the sixth after arguing a pitch-clock violation call by home plate umpire.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2025
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The umpires called back-to-back balks on Gillaspie for stopping during his windup.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In this scenario, the Broncos get antsy with Tyler Warren still on the board and decide to move ahead of the Indianapolis Colts.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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With the 26th pick, the Rams decide to bolster their offense by adding the best available running back.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Google hearing on Monday comes after a U.S. District Court judge in Virginia ruled against the company in another major case, saying the company illegally maintained a monopoly in some online advertising technology.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2025
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That suit started in the same federal district court in Texas that first heard the latest challenge, which critics say shows opponents of Obamacare were looking for a friendly judge.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The team settled on a patient with SD Autism Spectrum disorder who had an ankle sprain but frustrated Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) with his endless questions.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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They are now settled in the Jackson, Wyo., community run by Joel's sister-in-law, Maria (Rutina Wesley), but the pair's relationship is strained.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Strategic decisions made now, around technology investments, partnerships, and customer education, could determine whether a bank remains competitive in a world increasingly defined by digital currency frameworks. 5.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Investigators determined the car was a Hyundai Accent between the years 2012 and 2015.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With their unique complexities, City Attorney Pete Schulte said, domestic violence cases take four times as long to adjudicate than other misdemeanor violations.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
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Nor were established procedures for adjudicating such a failure followed; the government didn’t even deign to give the appearance of doing so.—
Michael S. Roth,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Normally, Maduro is able to arbitrate disputes between his captains.—
Moisés Naím,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Sep. 2021
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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
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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