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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of umpires
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
For the contemporary era, there are two separate ballots for players and managers, executives and umpires.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
This led to a heated interaction between Padres players and the umpires.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
For the contemporary era, there are two separate ballots for players and managers, executives and umpires.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
This led to a heated interaction between Padres players and the umpires.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpires
Noun
-
The Sailors went on another power play with just under two minutes left in overtime, and Pembroke was able to get a shot on and scored, but the referees called a no-goal against with just under a minute left.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, none of the referees blew their whistles, and Siakam gave Boston its third loss in the last four games.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The winner was chosen by an independent panel, which each year judges the entries on artistic achievement.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
And while Elliott would like to see Nielsen as the next CEO, if the board decides on someone else who is equally qualified, Elliott will support that decision.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Georgia grows tired of her husband and their nightly trips to the fancy French restaurant and decides to have an affair with another man at another table (Alan Howard).—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The number determines the length and width of the rubber band, and numbers range between 8 (7/8-by-1/16 inch) and 117b (7 inches by 1/8 inch).—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The planet's tilt determines how much sunlight the poles receive.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Oneohtrix Point Never’s atmospheric synthesizers pause as the weight of the moment settles on the Weeknd.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
When winter settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s something especially comforting about slowing down and staying close to home.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
