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

Relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson was not happy, shouting obscenities at the umpire and ripping him for his appearance. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 Caballero’s pre-pitch routine has rankled opposing pitchers — and even some umpires — all season. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Verb

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 And the next day, umpiring behind the plate, Bucknor took a foul ball flush in the mask in the second inning and had to come out of the game. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for umpire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpire

Noun

Expanding access So, how can soccer broaden access and opportunity for female referees?

— Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
No referee can steal your choice No hostile song can drown your voice.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Definition of referee

Verb

During Covid, when many people were indoors picking up new hobbies, Lloyd decided to lace up his running shoes and quickly fell in love with the sport.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
The Jayhawks, who were blown out by KSU’s Purple Reign by 19 points in Game 1 on Tuesday in Manhattan, only to win Wednesday in Topeka, trailed 12-0 five minutes into the deciding contest.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

When court resumed later in the afternoon, the judge ordered Lux to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
The judge denied a request to unshackle him completely, saying that the handcuffs would be removed while Burke was at the table but that his legs would remain shackled under it.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

The idea that his legacy should hinge on the outcome of one game — let alone a game settled on a penalty shootout — was the 1,003rd game of his career for club and country.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The alum attaches itself to pollutants, including algae, and creates a snowlike mixture that settles to the bottom of the facility’s pond.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

The sculptures were among 34 Southeast Asian antiquities voluntarily relinquished by the collector in 2021 after investigators determined they had been looted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
The case also determined that the neighbor has the right to trim any greenery that encroaches onto their property.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of determine

Verb

His case prompted a withering rebuke from the California Supreme Court, which said Kaiser’s system of arbitrating legal disputes was subject to long delays and unfair to its members.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
The workers say Meta's agreements require employees to arbitrate workplace disputes individually, but do not apply to requests for temporary relief.

— Daniel Wiessner, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of arbitrate

Verb

Human experts should define the evaluation logic and adjudicate edge cases.

— Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
But the speech gave him a fresh outrage through which to revisit an old defeat, accuse his own government of betrayal and force the press to spend the evening adjudicating his claims.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026

Definition of adjudicate

Verb

Antoine Griezmann, France vs Croatia, 2018 Griezmann restores France’s lead with a penalty after Ivan Perisic was adjudged to have handled in the box.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 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

umpired

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“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of umpire

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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