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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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umpire

2 of 2

verb

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
Bears Chairman George McCaskey was even part of the act as an umpire, and Rick Sutcliffe threw out the first pitch in Sunday’s show. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 Athletics hitting coach Chris Cron was ejected by plate umpire Chad Fairchild in the second. ABC News, 26 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
  • Soccer authorities expected more cameras, replay angles and tracking data to mitigate referee error, limit subjectivity and strengthen perceptions of fairness.
    Pooya Tabesh, The Conversation, 30 July 2026
  • In Warsh’s parlance, the market was playing the referee, not the ball.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.
    Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Florida’s August primary election is here, offering voters the opportunity to cast ballots in contests that will set up November clashes for governor, Congress and the state Legislature, and decide local races and referenda in counties and cities.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • This contrasts sharply with a federal judge's decision days earlier, blocking Minnesota from criminalizing prediction markets, a win for Kalshi and the CFTC who argue federal preemption.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • First applied by a few individual judges in 2019, it was rubber-stamped by a lower section of the supreme court in 2023, which led to regional judges across the country, who rule on citizenship cases, applying it to would-be citizens.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The sluggish start mirrored Wednesday’s defeat, leaving Bay FC once again chasing the game before many fans had settled into their seats.
    Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Named for nebbia, the Italian word for the heavy layer of fog that settles over the vineyards around harvest time in early autumn, Nebbiolo has been cultivated in Piedmont for more than 750 years.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While there is an electric fence, a few times a year determined goats make their way out.
    Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Whether health workers like Kayimpa receive that support could determine how many remain on the front line, fighting to keep patients alive and contain the virus.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Prop Association, a self-regulatory body launched in April 2025 under CEO Jordan Schneir, now offers to arbitrate the disputes.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Autonomy, in both framings, is adjudicated by a physician, verified at the bedside.
    Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The House’s post-#MeToo rule changes in 2018 clarified that members cannot pursue relationships with their own staff and created a new process for adjudicating harassment claims.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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