as in referees
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 judges
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
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Recent Examples of umpires
Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
That committee is set to vote later this year on managers, executives and umpires, with Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker among those who could be elected for the Class of 2027.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
The robot umpires coming to the major leagues this year?
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
The league will debut the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System to check the accuracy of umpires’ pitch calls.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2025
Contemporary managers, executives and umpires will be considered in December 2026, classic era candidates in December 2027 and contemporary era players again in December 2028.
—Ronald Blum, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
In the most recent Ashes series in 2023, Australia complained that the umpires’ decision to replace a red ball that had gone out of shape cost them the decisive Test match at the Oval.
—Matt Roller, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Before then, the NCAA said Miller targeted the NCAA national coordinator of umpires, Scott Cline, and later confronted other NCAA staffers.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025
The game will feature the Poway Padres playing alongside members of the Poway Sheriff’s Station and the Poway Fire Department, with Mayor Steve Vaus and Poway City Council members serving as umpires.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Years ago, Major League Baseball had a crisis in which umpires notoriously had their own versions of the strike zone for batters.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
That committee is set to vote later this year on managers, executives and umpires, with Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker among those who could be elected for the Class of 2027.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
The robot umpires coming to the major leagues this year?
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
The league will debut the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System to check the accuracy of umpires’ pitch calls.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2025
Contemporary managers, executives and umpires will be considered in December 2026, classic era candidates in December 2027 and contemporary era players again in December 2028.
—Ronald Blum, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
In the most recent Ashes series in 2023, Australia complained that the umpires’ decision to replace a red ball that had gone out of shape cost them the decisive Test match at the Oval.
—Matt Roller, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Before then, the NCAA said Miller targeted the NCAA national coordinator of umpires, Scott Cline, and later confronted other NCAA staffers.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Nov. 2025
The game will feature the Poway Padres playing alongside members of the Poway Sheriff’s Station and the Poway Fire Department, with Mayor Steve Vaus and Poway City Council members serving as umpires.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpires
Noun
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But the commissioner said technology could be used as a tool to support referees and ensure the correct calls are made.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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Swayman went down to one knee and the referees broke up the skirmish.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The winner was chosen by an independent panel, which each year judges the entries on artistic achievement.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
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Joining judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough this week is former dancing pro Kym Johnson.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Amazon is spending heavily on marketing — even as the company shed 16,000 workers just days before the film’s release — possibly because Prime Video exec Mike Hopkins, the guy who ultimately decides marketing budgets for the streamer’s films, is known to lean conservative.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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Who decides to ask the questions, and who decides to write?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Candidates don’t always honor their party’s endorsement and will sometimes advance to the August primary election, which officially determines the party nominee.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
4 Feb. 2026
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Each agency determines what work is essential or not.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And as that low light settles in, my whole body shifts in spirit.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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After this brief stretch of colder weather, a steady warming trend is expected from Thursday through Sunday as the ridge of high pressure to our west slowly shifts east and settles over Texas.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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