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
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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.
—Verb
The National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., which referees appeals between state Guard units and troops, serves largely in an advisory role.
—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.—
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The umpires called back-to-back balks on Gillaspie for stopping during his windup.—
Verb
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Lacking any evidence, the department decided Ozturk could be deported at Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s discretion under law.—
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In this scenario, the Saints decide to make a bold play and move up for their passer of the future.—
Noun
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Additionally, Newsom promised to publicize the findings to the judges who will rule over the recent sentencing motion in LA Superior Court and Hochman.—
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Tom Brenner | Reuters A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that the White House cannot bar Associated Press reporters and photographers from the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other secure spaces where journalists from other media outlets are admitted.—
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.—
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The lawsuit was settled in 2024 for $1.85 million, according to NBC News, but the emotional damage remains.—
Verb
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The draft order is determined by a team’s performance over a two-year span.—
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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.—
Verb
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The government generally has to wait for those cases to be adjudicated or terminated before moving to deport them.—
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Rule of law connotes a concept in which the citizenry accepts and obeys laws and legal rules and respects the authority of the judicial system that adjudicates these rules.—
Verb
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Normally, Maduro is able to arbitrate disputes between his captains.—
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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.—
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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