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
Relevance
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.
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Recent Examples of umpire
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The non sequiturs, or seeming non sequiturs (like Carol moonlighting as a baseball umpire despite having little knowledge of baseball) abound.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Erin Spencer Sairam, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Complaints to umpires by players and managers who disagree with a call are as old as umpiring itself.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umpire
Noun
Think mid-game dance breaks, a twist on the fastball (yes, the baseballs are on fire), even the umpire cutting a rug behind home plate.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The non sequiturs, or seeming non sequiturs (like Carol moonlighting as a baseball umpire despite having little knowledge of baseball) abound.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
News Of The Week Jen Pawol became the first woman to umpire a regular-season MLB game, marking a historic milestone for baseball.
—Erin Spencer Sairam, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Complaints to umpires by players and managers who disagree with a call are as old as umpiring itself.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for umpire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpire
Noun
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Batson, an early employee of Mozilla who had played for Augusta Arsenal in Georgia before becoming a referee, came to his job after a chance encounter with US Soccer’s board chair on an Amtrak train.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In boxing, the referee either counts out the fighter or stops the contest.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carrick ignored it, deciding not to change a formula up front that has ended up producing five wins and a draw from his first six matches back in the dugout.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The courtroom erupted as the judge and lawyers tried to decide which charges Cox was self representing, and who needed to receive the motions.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The judge expressed disbelief in a 66-page opinion.—
Steve Karnowski,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Cash told the judge that the loitering charge is discriminatory against homeless people and should be dropped.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The bankruptcy, a chapter 11 filing that allows a company to reorganize rather than quickly sell off and shutter, would take time for courts and attorneys to settle.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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Knoxville was settled in 1786 and served as a territorial capital before Tennessee gained statehood and joined the union.—
Caroline Eubanks,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The cause of the blaze has been determined to be arson by Sheriff Detective Ronald Walker.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Research has yet to determine whether or not these hair extensions are dangerous or could be causing illness.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated on an individual basis and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party.—
CBS News Philadelphia Staff,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Its jurisdiction over credits is especially powerful, arbitrating decisions that can shape careers, reputations, and earnings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All incidents were self-reported to the JRCI, which cannot independently investigate or adjudicate them.—
Shira Li Bartov,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Between October 2022 and June 2024, 90 percent of participants in Tarrant County’s Youth Advocate Programs services were not adjudicated or convicted of a new charge while enrolled, and 100 percent stayed enrolled in school, graduated, or earned a GED, according to Youth Advocate Programs.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dominic Solanke was adjudged to have made a fair challenge on City defender Marc Guehi in the act of scoring Tottenham’s first goal, something that annoyed manager Pep Guardiola and his players.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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So if the Sharks can stay in the playoff picture, defy the prognosticators and get in, then Celebrini should no doubt be considered for the Hart, given to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
6 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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