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
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Recent Examples of umpires
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
The second and third outs were called third strikes, both of them initially balls before All-Star catcher Realmuto challenged through the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), or so called robot umpires, that will be used in the regular season for the first time this year.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Junior umpires officiate games from Shetland through Bronco divisions, with adult umpires primarily covering Pony games.
—Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
While the umpires awkwardly walked off the field, and while each side’s dugout glanced around for confirmation, the Surprise Stadium public address announcer made the call.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
The new challenge system is going to expose umpires who have bad nights, and players are going to be reminded of their success rate regularly.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
When speaking to the media after the game, neither Arteaga nor catcher Alex Sosa said how or if the umpires explained the call.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
The creativity wasn’t approved by the umpires.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Supporters say the legislation is needed to protect sports officials, send a message and also because unruly behavior by fans, parents and coaches has led to an officials shortage, sending some into early retirement and discouraging others from becoming referees, umpires or officials.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Menzel pulled into second, as the left-fielder briefly raised his arms, but resumed running as the umpires indicated the ball was still live.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
The second and third outs were called third strikes, both of them initially balls before All-Star catcher Realmuto challenged through the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), or so called robot umpires, that will be used in the regular season for the first time this year.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Junior umpires officiate games from Shetland through Bronco divisions, with adult umpires primarily covering Pony games.
—Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
While the umpires awkwardly walked off the field, and while each side’s dugout glanced around for confirmation, the Surprise Stadium public address announcer made the call.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
The new challenge system is going to expose umpires who have bad nights, and players are going to be reminded of their success rate regularly.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
When speaking to the media after the game, neither Arteaga nor catcher Alex Sosa said how or if the umpires explained the call.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
The creativity wasn’t approved by the umpires.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Supporters say the legislation is needed to protect sports officials, send a message and also because unruly behavior by fans, parents and coaches has led to an officials shortage, sending some into early retirement and discouraging others from becoming referees, umpires or officials.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 16 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpires
Noun
-
The referees quickly flagged it for goaltending, and with it, Hall set the program record for most points in a season by a freshman.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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Sitting at his locker with his elbow wrapped in ice, James expressed frustration with referees not calling a foul on the play that led to his injury.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With that in mind, here are the top 10 starters with at least 100 pitches thrown this spring so far, ranked by Stuff+, which judges pitches by their physical qualities alone.—
Eno Sarris,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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On Monday, Ninth Circuit judges Holly Thomas, Anthony Johnstone, and Joan Lefkow held an oral argument.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jackson is aghast when Wahlberg shows up fat and scraggly for filming, ultimately firing him and hiring Ryan Gosling, who secretly thinks Wahlberg had the right idea but decides to keep his mouth shut.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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The desirable outcome is that a jury, which decides questions of fact, decides that social media is addictive and it was designed to maximize engagement.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a landscape where speed to value often determines competitive advantage, that acceleration can be decisive.—
Ruba Borno,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
If there is an increase from year to year, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, or CPI-W, that determines the percentage of the COLA.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the spotlight settles on each of them, that person unspools a monologue, a candid account of their origins, their desires and dreams, their galaxy of excuses and explanations.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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With millions of people along its coastline and countless vessels crossing its waters, the Mediterranean receives an enormous and constant flow of waste — much of which eventually settles into its deepest recesses.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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