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Dictionary.com

without reference

ADJECTIVE
irrelevant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
extraneous immaterial inappropriate inconsequential insignificant pointless trivial unimportant unnecessary unrelated
WEAK
foreign garbage impertinent inapplicable inapposite inappurtenant inapropos inapt inconsequent not connected with not germane not pertaining to off the point off the topic out of order out of place outside remote unapt unconnected
Antonyms
STRONGEST
appropriate consequential essential important meaningful necessary needed relevant significant substantial useful valuable worthwhile
WEAK
pertinent related

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.

Police departments routinely categorize honor-based incidents under generic domestic-violence headings—often reporting them without reference to ideological motives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

The Civil War amendments – the 13th, 14th and 15th – established inherent equality as a constitutional value, which embraced all persons born in the nation without reference to race, ethnicity or origin.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2025

This was a discourse almost entirely without reference to ideology or values except to dismiss their significance.

From BBC • May 16, 2025

On the podcast, without reference to any particular team, Trump said middle-class fans are “your biggest sports fans.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

It was so weighty and influential a body that no step of any importance could ever be taken by the tribe without reference to it.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela