UMPIRE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

umpire 1 of 2

noun

ˈəm-ˌpī(-ə)r

Definition of umpire

as in referee

a person who impartially decides or resolves a dispute or controversy usually acts as umpire in the all-too-frequent squabbles between the two other roommates

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umpire

2 of 2

verb

as in to decide

to give an opinion about (something at issue or in dispute) in our family disputes regarding the use of our home entertainment system are umpired by Dad

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of umpire

Noun

The feels-like temperature was 105 degrees, with umpires chugging water between innings and fans shielding their heads with giveaway towels on a cloudless day. — Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 Initially, second base umpire Edwin Moscoso ruled that Hoerner’s toss beat Ruiz, but Miami challenged the double play. — Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Ogilvie has also squeezed in umpiring the last three years. — Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 Despite reportedly taking some violent blows to the head and wrestling the alleged thief to the ground, Ballou was able to umpire the Phillies’ game the next night. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umpire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpire

Noun

Five players and the referee tried to catch it, Steph recalled, while its owner sobbed on the sidelines.

— Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026
The league on Monday suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona’s Trey McBride and referee Adrian Hill for one game for yelling and gesturing at Minnesota’s Eric Wilson.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of referee

Verb

Heading into the midterm elections, AI now ranks as a key issue in races that will help decide control of both chambers of Congress.

— Jeff Masonand Michael Shepard Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
This feels more like the 2008 financial crisis where the government decided a cash-infusion could help stabilize the market, this time in the form of a television agreement that leads to more teams making the postseason.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

Perhaps a handful of judges would be confirmed, but Cabinet secretaries would face long slogs.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
The judge’s order expires later this week, and the three outlets are seeking a preliminary injunction to sideline the ban in the longer term.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

Florida’s research has long tracked how different kinds of work settle in different places.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
Mercury in your partnership house squares Mars in your 4th, creating friction between another person’s perspective and what feels comfortable or settled to you.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

The team was also able to determine the mass of both bodies in ZTF J0440+2325.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The Reaveys spent Callum’s early years performing their own intensive physical and speech therapies with him, determined their son would roll over, crawl, and learn to say his name.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of determine

Verb

As Rees sees it, legacy institutions are ill-equipped to arbitrate informational or cultural truths in a network-first world.

— Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The underlying logic is that if parties contractually agree to arbitrate their grievances, which Moore and other professional tennis players do, judges ought to treat the outcome as final, assuming there are no extraordinary circumstances.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of arbitrate

Verb

The states likewise argued that the board does not raise First Amendment concerns, arguing that the deal will not put the court in the position of adjudicating news judgments.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
City attorneys argued that the city’s long-standing practice of adjudicating those cases by the Chicago Police Board should remain in place.

— Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of adjudicate

Verb

The two centre-backs were grappling in the penalty area, and Konsa was adjudged to have pulled Ballard to the ground after a long throw-in.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy as the NHL player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team, marking the second such honor of his career after also winning the award in 2019.

— Mercury News, Mercury News, 12 June 2026

Definition of adjudge

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umiaks

umpire

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“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of umpire

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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