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
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Morgan wasn’t the only one to exit early Monday night, with veteran referee Scott Foster sidelined in the second half with a calf injury, leaving two referees to officiate the balance of the game.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 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
From the Los Angeles Times, the son of former NBA referee Bill Spooner is a rising official.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Morgan wasn’t the only one to exit early Monday night, with veteran referee Scott Foster sidelined in the second half with a calf injury, leaving two referees to officiate the balance of the game.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
The National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., which referees appeals between state Guard units and troops, serves largely in an advisory role.
—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
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.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2025
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The umpires called back-to-back balks on Gillaspie for stopping during his windup.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While the season is often filled with soft pastels (hi, lavender milk nails) and shimmery nudes, some celebs have decided to go in a different direction this season.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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Some tourists stumbled upon the skinny discount at Chiang Mai Breakfast World and decided to try it, as shown in a pair of Instagram videos that have since gone viral.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Apr. 2025
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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.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
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.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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In October, the parties settled the lawsuit for $1.85 million.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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However, it was later determined that the report of the assault, as well as other elements of the caller’s story, was fabricated, leading to authorities to publicly seek out information regarding their identity.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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An expert has determined that the item was a Canaanite scarab from the Middle Bronze Age, around 3,800 years ago.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The government generally has to wait for those cases to be adjudicated or terminated before moving to deport them.—
Camilo Montoya-Galvez,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2025
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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.—
Blake D. Morant,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Normally, Maduro is able to arbitrate disputes between his captains.—
Moisés Naím,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Sep. 2021
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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.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referee. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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