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

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol argued with plate umpire Doug Eddings and was ejected. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 However, during the match, she was seen saying something to the crowd and then approached umpire Eva Asderaki‑Moore. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 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

Noun

Rather than stepping in and asserting his authority, Mourinho has largely remained on the sidelines, more witness than referee.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
A lot of them have to referee college basketball as well during their offseason.

— Sam Fragoso, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of referee

Verb

What input did the NFL have in the Highmark Stadium field when the team decided to switch to grass after 54 years?

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Boeing and Lockheed Martin at first provided only tentative funding for Vulcan’s development, then ULA waited until 2018 to select an engine for Vulcan, deciding on Blue Origin’s BE-4 over Aerojet Rocketdyne’s AR1.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

The motion to assign the case to a specific judge is expected to be heard before arguments begin on the sentence motion.

— Greg Smith, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026
Local 42’s attorneys had previously filed a motion asking a Jackson County judge to hold the city in contempt, arguing that officials had failed to carry out a previous judgment in the case from March that enforced the arbitrator’s decision.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

The tropical cyclone reached Category 5, defined by sustained winds of 157 mph or greater, overnight Friday before losing some of its steam and settling into Category 4’s limits of sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph by Saturday.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
Our offensive weapons give Kyler a perfect runway to land the plane, finally settling into an environment that can nurture his skill set and get a payday in a prove-it year.

— Adam Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

California's next governor will ultimately determine whether to accept or reject the board's recommendation.

— Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
The identities of those killed have yet to be determined, al-Masirah satellite news channel cited Saboula as saying.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of determine

Verb

In each instance, once parties have agreed to arbitrate, a court may confirm and enforce the resulting arbitration award, subject to limited grounds for setting it aside.

— Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of arbitrate

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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“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of umpire

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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