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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of umpires
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
Springer’s comments suggested that the umpires were actively looking for ways to drive the Blue Jays down in the standings so that the Yankees could take the division.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
That’s no surprise to many, because a player of Trout’s stature gets the benefit of the doubt from umpires.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Human umpires will still call balls and strikes behind the plate, but each team will have two challenges per game and extra appeals in extra innings.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
Over four seasons of testing in Minor League Baseball, officials collected feedback from players, umpires and fans.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
Robot umpires are no longer science fiction.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
After the top of the first inning, several Yankees batters congregated on the third base line with manager Aaron Boone and the umpires.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Major League Baseball Rule 21 prohibits anyone connected to the game-including players, umpires, and staff-from gambling on any baseball or softball game, regardless of the level.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
This zone is crucial for pitch framing, where catchers use their presentation to influence umpires into calling borderline pitches strikes.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
Springer’s comments suggested that the umpires were actively looking for ways to drive the Blue Jays down in the standings so that the Yankees could take the division.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
That’s no surprise to many, because a player of Trout’s stature gets the benefit of the doubt from umpires.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Sep. 2025
Human umpires will still call balls and strikes behind the plate, but each team will have two challenges per game and extra appeals in extra innings.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
Over four seasons of testing in Minor League Baseball, officials collected feedback from players, umpires and fans.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
Robot umpires are no longer science fiction.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
After the top of the first inning, several Yankees batters congregated on the third base line with manager Aaron Boone and the umpires.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Major League Baseball Rule 21 prohibits anyone connected to the game-including players, umpires, and staff-from gambling on any baseball or softball game, regardless of the level.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpires
Noun
-
The ball technology is designed to send precise ball data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in real time, which can help quicken the pace of a match by providing referees with more information to help make faster decisions for calls like offsides.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The referees missed this one, and there's no other way to describe it.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As West reports, Dubno’s update puts us in the head of an unnamed twentysomething who judges her peers at a cocktail party.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Along with hosting Taskmaster, Horne serves as the umpire for each challenge, while Davies judges the performances and awards points on how well the contestants do.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In an interview with Variety in April 2023, Coelen shared that the crew often decides who will reveal their decision first at the altar.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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Snoopy decides to cook his own version of a Thanksgiving meal with help from his friends.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is the real-world psychology that determines relationship success or failure, and many matchmakers overlook these deeper patterns.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, determines how to fund departments in the executive branch.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But today, Don Swift settles all family business.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
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Get a FanCash refund if your bet settles as a loss.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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