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reference

[ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns] / ˈrɛf ər əns, ˈrɛf rəns /


NOUN
testimonial of good character
Synonyms
Antonyms
STRONGEST


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Even in a passing comment where he appeared to reference Yellen, he pointedly did not mention make even an allusion to Powell.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

"You learn more about yourself and the people around you when you are losing games," former Brighton striker Glenn Murray told BBC Sport in reference to last season's poor run.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Mr. Sepinwall even indulges in a reference to Hitler.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Nearly all participants who completed the exercise test performed at or above the 90th percentile for their age when compared with reference populations.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

Had Darwin looked carefully through the books in his voluminous library, he might have found a reference to an obscure paper by a little-known botanist from Brno.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The ex-Liverpool full-back joined with glowing references from Madrid president Florentino Perez and returning head coach Jose Mourinho, who he played for during his time with the Spanish club.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

A lawyer for the firm described the document as a “confidential work product” with information that had been “obtained through confidential references during Korn Ferry’s candidate search.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

I kept looking up poems he references as I turned the pages.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

By using atomic nuclei as exceptionally stable references, nuclear clocks could eventually allow scientists to measure time and other physical quantities with levels of accuracy that existing technologies cannot reach.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

A recent review of the subject contained references to 215 papers reporting or discussing unfavorable upsets in the balance of insect populations caused by pesticides.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

She also referenced the chorus of criticism that many homes along California's coast belong to the wealthy or are second homes, and that they never should've been built on such a vulnerable landscape.

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026

The Duxbury Bay mansion is believed to be the property referenced in one of the alleged post-breakup offers.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

A rabbi referenced the runway overhaul in a recent sermon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

The plea agreement referenced at least two other victims, including one identified as E.Z., who Iza believed possessed a laptop containing large amount of cryptocurrency.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

The italicized language in the description of the referenced email exchange is paraphrased, not directly quoted.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Their original press release mentioned building a new air defence systems that would be "in essence, a British Iron Dome", referencing Israel's elaborate air defence system.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

As long as we’re referencing movie roles, “Dumb and Dumber” seems apt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

When Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy ludicrously urged Americans to dress up for travel, he was referencing this imaginary age of girdles and silk-stockinged women dolled up like Veronica Lake.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

The firm issued a terse statement Thursday, saying he and others were leaving for a “smaller platform,” and referencing the firm’s ambitious growth strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

Everyone’s referencing the walkout without actually being specific.”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro


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