Reference to
Use of and reference to are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Use of" instead a noun phrase "Reference to".
Use of
Reference to and use of are semantically related. You can use "Reference to" instead a noun phrase "Use of".
Mutual synonyms
Both terms in one sentence
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Similarly, Ramiel shooting down the inbound missiles in the climax of 1.11 is a direct reference to Gunbuster's legendary use of the Buster Beam to dispatch an entire fleet of space monsters.
Source: Anime / Rebuild of Evangelion - This was a reference to their frequent use of misspelt titles, eg "Take Me Bak 'Ome" and "Gudbuy T'Jane".
Source: Pun Based Title / Music -
This is a deliberate use of the trope: Word of God says it's a deliberate reference to the 108 Buddhist temptations.
Source: 108
Cite this Source
Use of and Reference to. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/reference_to/use_of
Reference to & Use of. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/reference_to/use_of>.
Use of or Reference to. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/reference_to/use_of.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "reference to" and "use of" have occurred on timeline