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
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 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
Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025
There are usually mixed reactions when NFL referees flag pass interference.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
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
Shanahan then appeared to appeal to referee Shawn Smith, to no avail.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2025
There are usually mixed reactions when NFL referees flag pass interference.
—Chantz Martin, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
-
Hopefully, the umpires don’t get discouraged or upset that people are doing it.—
Justice delos Santos,
The Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
The agency eventually decided to bring Starliner home uncrewed, which happened in early September, and fold Wilmore and Williams into the ISS' long-duration Expedition 72 mission.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The two decided to break the mold in 2014 when Ogwumike, the #1 WNBA Draft pick that year, chose then 24-year-old Galer as her agent.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Last month, a Delaware Superior Court judge granted the motions to dismiss by two of the 10 insurers, Arch Insurance Company and Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company, which Varsity had sued for breach of contract.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
But, remarkably, Trump implied that the adverse legal decisions against him have been because his opponents are threatening judges.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
He’s settled well on Merseyside, building tight bonds with fellow pros like Darwin Núñez and Alexis Mac Allister, and knows the Kop’s rocking song about his path to Merseyside and goalscoring endeavors.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Continue reading … Click here for more cartoons… MEDIA MIC DROP – Anti-woke comedian calls out liberals for rehashing a debate country has already settled.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The man’s cause and manner of death will be determined following an autopsy, authorities said.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The amount of calories burned while sleeping can be calculated by first determining the number of calories expended per hour of the day.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The couple had been granted temporary protection from deportation while their claims for asylum were being adjudicated.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The cuts, which affected 82 of the federal office’s employees, also risk delaying critical new rules designed to speed the process of adjudicating disputes over surprise bills between health plans and medical providers.—
Noam N. Levey,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share