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

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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
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
  1. referee
  2. decide
  3. judge
  4. settle
  5. determine
  6. arbitrate
  7. adjudicate
  8. adjudge
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
  • After seeing information about the National Day of Action online, Isabel Montano, a junior studying philosophy and economics, decided to take action at SIUE.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Brands need to decide which trends resonate, which ones make sense to capitalize on and make a new product launch or an entire franchise and which to let go and pass over.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of decide
Noun
  • But in 2025, Congress eliminated that tax — and in early August, a federal judge in Texas ruled that without it, those other measures for extra vetting were unconstitutional, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The same isn’t true if the NCAA wins, since athletes elsewhere can still try their luck with judges near them.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of judge
Verb
  • Deadline reported that the studio deliberately released the teaser on the same day Meta settled a child-harm case brought by state attorneys general, and that Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has seen the ad and liked it.
    — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Noise colors are different sound profiles that spread audio energy across frequencies in distinct ways, and some can mask disruptive sounds and help the brain settle into deeper sleep.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 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 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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Cite this Entry

“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about umpire

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