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

The umpires were walking past wondering what on earth was going on. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Among 25 umpires who worked the first two rounds, four had perfect rates and were confirmed on all challenges. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 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

If the kid was fouling every kid wouldn’t he be given a red card from the referee, not a jelly parent?

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Under binding arbitration, an independent referee is brought in when negotiators hit an impasse.

— Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of referee

Verb

That decision, handed down just before noon Friday, all but ensures the issue will reach the Supreme Court and be decided there before polls close Tuesday.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
The couple decided to tie in both of their cultural backgrounds through other planning decisions.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of decide

Noun

Separately, the three law professors contacted by The Post reviewed the judge's ruling in Bakken's case, as well as portions of Gist's memorandum and the legal official's email.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The family court judge in the case, Marlon Weiss, was appointed by DeSantis in 2025 to the Circuit Court in Broward.

— Jim Defede, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of judge

Verb

Earlier this month, Minnesota Vikings fans who’d settled in for the team’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins were surprised to see a Paxton ad show up during one of the in-game breaks.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Does not America offer any inducement for men to settle here?

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of settle

Verb

Give the city, the district and potential partners the time to determine whether co-location can work before making a decision that cannot easily be undone.

— Tim Lonergan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Establish a panel of coaches, athletic directors and players to determine a reasonable figure and all athletes being paid will receive that amount.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 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 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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umiaks

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“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of umpire

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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