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
Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
That’s because Republicans are still hustling to win approval for provisions that their nonpartisan rules referee deemed ineligible for protection from a Democratic filibuster.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
In a typical court case, the judge is a neutral arbiter who referees a dispute between a plaintiff and a defendant and then either reaches a decision or instructs a jury.
—Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Noun
As Fatu went for another top rope move, JC Mateo ran to the ring and distracted the referee.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
That’s because Republicans are still hustling to win approval for provisions that their nonpartisan rules referee deemed ineligible for protection from a Democratic filibuster.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
The game could decide the title, with only four points between the two teams and four games remaining, meaning that all eyes will be on the man in the middle, who will referee his 30th game of the 2024/25 season.
—Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
In a typical court case, the judge is a neutral arbiter who referees a dispute between a plaintiff and a defendant and then either reaches a decision or instructs a jury.
—Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for referee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referee
Noun
-
The Mets challenged the catch, and an umpire review upheld it.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 July 2025
-
His uncle was taken to a meeting office for umpires, where his shirt was removed to cool him down, Delonta said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Believers may decide to refrain from voting or choose a third party because, in their view, neither majority candidate is acceptable.—
Esau McCaulley,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
-
In a July 15 episode of her podcast, Unlocked, the reality television star, 27, decided to speak about undergoing liposuction for the first time, detailing the reasoning behind her decision to undergo the knife.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
On Thursday, a federal judge placed a temporary nationwide block on Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
13 July 2025
-
The decision to reopen the case to the public eye came a little more than a month after the previous judge retired.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
13 July 2025
Verb
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In June, Khoury rejected an offer from Honda to settle his case for $1,000, saying that replacing the minivan’s tires around every 25,000 miles would cost much more than that.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
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The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The court will soon set a date for a sentencing hearing that will determine how long Patterson spends in jail.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
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The Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children Services is now working to determine where Kumar will be placed and ensure his safety going forward.—
Jovi Dai,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Since the Biden administration continued its policy of blocking appointments to fill its vacancies, there is now no quorum to adjudicate trade disputes, leaving countries little incentive to abide by the rules anymore.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
12 July 2025
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Only about half of the cases have been adjudicated so far, Sexton said.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Given his often conflicting obligations to cyberspace operations under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and signals intelligence under Title 50, he is compelled to arbitrate in favor of one or the other, rather than advocate on behalf of either side.—
James G. Stavridis,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Oct. 2013
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In May, Morris filed a lawsuit asking Tarrant County courts to force the Southlake megachurch to arbitrate a dispute about his retirement pay, the Star-Telegram previously reported.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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