umpire 1 of 2

noun

ˈəm-ˌpī(-ə)r How to pronounce umpire (audio)
Definition of umpirenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Outside on the diamond, a fake umpire was standing near home plate with a gun and a taser concealed beneath his uniform. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 Federal prosecutors say Cathcart was an umpire, including at Little League baseball games organized through the Waterford Coaches Association, and volunteered for youth hockey. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Oct. 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
  1. referee
  2. decide
  3. judge
  4. settle
  5. determine
  6. arbitrate
  7. adjudicate
  8. adjudge
Noun
  • Additionally, authorities impounded seven vehicles for 30 days, issued 74 citations to people at the takeovers and cited 22 vehicles for offenses requiring an inspection by a state referee, the LASD release said.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • When asked about the new emphasis from referees, Redick echoed sentiments shared by Minnesota coach Chris Finch last week, saying the NBA’s focus on defensive flopping doesn’t align with what the goal should be.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of referee
Verb
  • That decision, handed down just before noon Friday, all but ensures the issue will reach the Supreme Court and be decided there before polls close Tuesday.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The couple decided to tie in both of their cultural backgrounds through other planning decisions.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • On Monday, as Palacios wrapped up his second-day of testimony under cross-examination by Sanon’s defense lawyer Humberto Dominguez, Désir made his initial appearance before a federal magistrate judge in Miami across the street.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • That same day, another federal district judge in a separate case in California barred DOJ from threatening election workers with criminal prosecution for refusing to stop processing ballots or resisting other demands.
    — Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of judge
Verb
  • Earlier this month, Minnesota Vikings fans who’d settled in for the team’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins were surprised to see a Paxton ad show up during one of the in-game breaks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Does not America offer any inducement for men to settle here?
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of settle
Verb
  • Herzog began consultations with party leaders on Wednesday night to determine whom to designate to form a government -- a process that could bring Netanyahu's opponents to power.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The partners will also test the magnet’s resilience to help determine its reliability and support high plant availability.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 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
  • These are issues that even courts can have trouble adjudicating in the best circumstances.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The screenwriter, Simon Stephenson, took his allegations to the Writers Guild of America in 2024, but was advised that the union could not adjudicate the issue and was referred to a lawyer.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of adjudicate
Verb
  • The implementation of these improvements was messy, including in Missouri; in 1969, the Supreme Court adjudged that a recent redistricting plan in the state fell short of one person, one vote.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of adjudge

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umiaks
umpire
umpired
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Cite this Entry

“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on umpire

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umpire

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