1
as in source
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information
the author's argument is interesting, but the lack of references makes me wonder if it can be proven
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as in to source
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reference
Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Jonesing for the new Alien show Probably the most on-the-nose reference here is the cat itself, an obvious call-back to Ripley's cat Jonesey from the original Alien movie.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Lily Templeton, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
Goyal referenced Apple’s success when pitching U.S. semiconductor companies to expand into India.
—Seema Mody, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reference
Noun
Boesky wanted to show what Mckinney’s references were visually to collectors, rather than just explaining it.
—Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Jonesing for the new Alien show Probably the most on-the-nose reference here is the cat itself, an obvious call-back to Ripley's cat Jonesey from the original Alien movie.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
The brand’s new collection leaned more on the former reference, overall referencing the Cité Radieuse revolutionary building designed by Le Corbusier in Marseille, in its use of semi-precious gemstones in bold, primary colors set on curved silhouettes.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
Goyal referenced Apple’s success when pitching U.S. semiconductor companies to expand into India.
—Seema Mody, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reference
Noun
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During the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, its Chinese-language radio broadcasts became a critical source of uncensored information for the Chinese people.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
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The source added that the duo were accompanied by director Doug Liman, but the specifics of the project are still under wraps.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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When playing outdoors, there are many choices in regards to the color of the lens.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2025
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Those occasions aren’t going away, but jewelry brands face cross-currents in that regard.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lone wolves have been documented traveling as far as 500 miles in search of new territory.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
21 Mar. 2025
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Since announcing her move, she’s been documenting her efforts to immerse herself in Ireland’s festivities, including at the national St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, which is attended by roughly 500,000 people, according to the Associated Press.—
Natalia Senanayake,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Ai takes an innovative approach, modernizing the production in multiple respects.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2025
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With all respect to the opening round, this is where things get real and when March goes mad.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reference. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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