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
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Johnson was ejected after leaving the dugout and arguing with the umpires.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 31 May 2026
Kotsay went out to talk to the umpires between innings but was unable to get the challenge back.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
Major league umpires are facing video review on balls and strikes for the first time.
—New York Times, 29 May 2026
After conferring, the umpires agreed, ruling her out.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Nor does Moeller have to confer with the umpires’ crew chief over lightning in the area or forecasted rain that might halt play in the middle innings.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
From 1986 to 2008, Maddux was baseball’s ultimate control pitcher, and home plate umpires were his friends.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
The Royals challenged the call and the umpires huddled.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
But the umpires confirmed the home run, coupling Adell with Canseco in numerous social media posts.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Johnson was ejected after leaving the dugout and arguing with the umpires.
—Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 31 May 2026
Kotsay went out to talk to the umpires between innings but was unable to get the challenge back.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
Major league umpires are facing video review on balls and strikes for the first time.
—New York Times, 29 May 2026
After conferring, the umpires agreed, ruling her out.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Nor does Moeller have to confer with the umpires’ crew chief over lightning in the area or forecasted rain that might halt play in the middle innings.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
From 1986 to 2008, Maddux was baseball’s ultimate control pitcher, and home plate umpires were his friends.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
The Royals challenged the call and the umpires huddled.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026
Verb
For the first time in the big leagues, umpires’ ball and strike calls can be challenged and either upheld or overturned after a quick review of the pitch data.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpires
Noun
-
After referees called Wembanyama on a foul on Karl-Anthony Towns, a review determined that Towns had been the one to commit a foul, an offensive foul, by hooking Wembanyama with his arm.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
The truck just leans into the work and gets on with life like a ranch foreman who drinks coffee black and silently judges your hitch setup.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 May 2026
-
Portnoy travels to cities around the world and judges their pizza scene by taking a single bite (or more) of a cheese pizza and giving it a review.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, technology decides everything.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
Deborah decides to pursue treatment after all, if only to buy enough time to work a little more.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This Is Where the Serpent Lives is a systems novel about who gets to have ambition in the first place in a country where a person’s caste still determines so much of the course of their lives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The report by the city auditor’s office found that there are gaps in how the city assesses costs, collects data and determines successful outcomes for unsheltered residents.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Clouds will gradually increase overnight as a cold front settles south toward the Red River.—
Nelly Carreño,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
Stick with alcohol-free, subtle formulas so the scent settles into the fabric rather than shouts from it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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