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

However, complaints about the umpires continue to this day, and that was the case 137 years ago. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026 When Ian Happ made the final out of the frame, the umpires convened and called a delay, a rare stoppage because of the fog-shrouded Wrigley Field. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 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

After the miss, Mbappé went to the referee to complain about the delay.

— Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026
The Daily News Editorial Board should read the New York Post to learn that everything was done in accordance with FIFA rules, and why the use of the video assistant referee to determine intent was against the rules.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

Definition of referee

Verb

Locals have spotted groups of people in Korea jerseys huddled together, trying to decide what to order at In-N-Out.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
This World Cup, a bunch of people decided to gamble millions on whether soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo would cry during a match.

— Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

Immediately after the prosecutor finished his closing argument, the judge found Broadwater guilty without leaving the bench to deliberate.

— ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
After the judge left the bench, promising a ruling by day’s end, India blew kisses to Banks as he was led away, back into custody.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

Gendron said his ancestors were among the first outsiders to settle the island in the 1700s, when three brothers, fur traders all, left Canada and followed the Mississippi south.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The space is cozy and laid back, with an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in for a drink or two.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

In response to the lawsuit, the NFL and teams sought to compel arbitration based on the coaches' employment contracts and a provision of the NFL Constitution that gives the NFL commissioner, Goodell, authority to arbitrate disputes between coaches and member clubs.

— Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 May 2026
The Safety Engine arbitrates conflicting commands, enforces operational envelopes, and gates execution against runtime safety conditions.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 21 May 2026

Definition of arbitrate

Verb

The final overriding decision was therefore not simply a process of adjudicating biological facts, but a judgment about what classification might do.

— Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026
Pfendler appears to have broken both the previous women's speed record as well as the men's speed record, according to records maintained by Ocean Rowing Society International, which adjudicates ocean-rowing achievements for Guinness World Records.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of adjudicate

Verb

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
The most controversial decision in this regard came in the 3-0 win against Liverpool in November when Andy Robertson was adjudged to be offside and affecting goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma when Virgil van Dijk 'scored' from a corner.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 May 2026

Definition of adjudge

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umiaks

umpire

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Style

“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of umpire

noun

verb

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