as in vote
an event in which the electorate votes for or against a law that deals with a specific issue
They are having a referendum so the public can decide the controversial issue.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of referendum
In Wisconsin, liberal Judge Susan Crawford won the race for a seat on the Supreme Court on Tuesday, a major win for Democrats, who had framed the race as a referendum on Musk’s popularity.
—
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2025
The election will determine control of the court, but has also become a referendum on Trump’s first weeks in office — as well as one on Musk himself.
—Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
The Supreme Court race has shattered previous spending records for a U.S. judicial election and has become a referendum on Musk and the first months of Trump’s administration.
—Scott Bauer, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
Republican operatives in the Sunshine State fear a congressional special election race in a deep-red district could be closer than expected, which could inadvertently be seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s record ahead of the midterm elections in 2026.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2025
The election will determine control of the court, but has also become a referendum on Trump’s first weeks in office — as well as one on Musk himself.
—Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
The Supreme Court race has shattered previous spending records for a U.S. judicial election and has become a referendum on Musk and the first months of Trump’s administration.
—Scott Bauer, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
Republican operatives in the Sunshine State fear a congressional special election race in a deep-red district could be closer than expected, which could inadvertently be seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s record ahead of the midterm elections in 2026.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referendum
Cite this Entry
“Referendum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referendum. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share