referring (to)

verb

present participle of refer (to)
1
as in specifying
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically try not to refer to the recent death of her aunt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in going (to)
to use or seek out as a source of aid, relief, or advantage she studied so she wouldn't have to refer to the book during the exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for referring (to)
  1. specifying
  2. consulting
  3. mentioning
  4. citing
  5. noticing
  6. quoting
  7. noting
  8. indicating
Verb
  • In September, her campaign criticized Tafoya’s sports stance without specifying how Flanagan would vote on federal restrictions.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Later chroniclers say he was first struck by an arrow—some specifying the eye—and then killed in close combat.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of specifying
Verb
  • The Observer has previously reported on scrutiny surrounding consulting contracts, including a $500,000 agreement with education consultant SYDKIMYL and a later $180,000 agreement that fell below the threshold for a board vote.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Wilson was a biomedical engineer who had been preparing for medical school—but decided to pursue consulting instead, before starting a data science firm.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of consulting
Verb
  • Suffice it to say the mystery bullets that landed in Rate Field’s bleachers in 2023 and wounded two women definitely aren’t relevant to this feel-good story but are worth mentioning to remind us how much the Sox narrative has changed.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Facing elections in three weeks, Netanyahu has repeated that statement on multiple occasions, rarely if ever mentioning that not all of the hostages returned home alive.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of mentioning
Verb
  • Expect follow-up studies, and expect pink noise features in sleep apps to start citing them.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • China has restricted foreign satellite communications services within its territory, citing data security concerns.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of citing
Verb
  • The student also described noticing bruising on her body the following day.
    — Jason Carroll, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Carr takes a beat to scan the field, no doubt noticing three corners in press and an extra safety creeping toward the line.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of noticing
Verb
  • Hegseth finished up by quoting Lincoln — actually Linkin Park.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Its news release cited a news report quoting a conservative activist who asserted the connection.
    — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of quoting
Verb
  • David Andrews, chief science officer for the Environmental Working Group, welcomed the push for an alternative to traditional fumigants, noting farmworkers in the fields and their families are the ones who have been exposed to the chemicals.
    — Haven Daley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Marlow also said Missouri’s 30-day retention for ALPR is excessive, noting that Flock, a major manufacturer of the tech, has a default retention period of seven days.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of noting
Verb
  • Mice without flagellin receptors were less affected—indicating a direct link between flagellin and an immune system response.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Green means the location is serving a full menu, indicating minimal damage in the surrounding area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of indicating
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.

Browse Nearby Words

referring
referring (to)
refers
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Cite this Entry

“Referring (to).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referring%20%28to%29. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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