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

Relevance

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
Lombard reached with a one-out walk when a 3-1 pitch called a strike by plate umpire Dan Bellino was ruled inside on an ABS challenge. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Called a home run by the umpires on the field, video review determined the fan did interfere. — Los Angeles Times, 8 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
  • Former Hollywood High principal Jim Tunney was a long-time NFL referee.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Following a 33-32 victory over the New York Giants in Week 7 of the 2025 season while playing for the Denver Broncos, Greenlaw chased and verbally threatened referee Brad Allen as the officiating crew was leaving the field.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Bruni said the pope's doctors would decide if there were any changes expected to his discharge date.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Where the thresholds sit, which harms count, who audits what – that’s for legislators, lawyers, technologists and ethicists to decide.
    — Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But in 2025, Congress eliminated that tax — and in early August, a federal judge in Texas ruled that without it, those other measures for extra vetting were unconstitutional, the Idaho Statesman reported at the time.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The same isn’t true if the NCAA wins, since athletes elsewhere can still try their luck with judges near them.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On the industry side, Serielizados Pro has settled into its identity as a boutique forum.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Composed of the Hernández brothers (Jorge, Hernán, Eduardo and Luis) and cousin Óscar Lara, Los Tigres Del Norte was founded in the late 1960s in the Sinaloan town of Rosa Morada and settled in San José.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The letter obtained by The Associated Press gives the state 48 hours to determine whether any citizens are included on the list.
    — SAFIYAH RIDDLE, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • When prescription treatment is appropriate, the clinician determines the treatment plan and formula, with the patient receiving ongoing access to their provider through secure messaging and the ability to adjust treatment as their skin evolves.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
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
Verb
  • The allegations have not yet been adjudicated, and Six Flags will have an opportunity to respond in court.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The states likewise argued that the board does not raise First Amendment concerns, arguing that the deal will not put the court in the position of adjudicating news judgments.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Umpire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpire. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on umpire

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster