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
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
Riley went all six innings of a game called short by umpires due to two weather stoppages.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
There was clearly some confusion over whether that would be allowed, with Schultz coming back onto the field at one point, but umpires eventually let the Nats make the move.
—CBS News, 19 May 2026
There was clearly some confusion over whether that would be allowed, with Schultz coming back onto the field at one point, but umpires eventually let the Nats make the move.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
He was also remembered for his cartoonish crashouts and the 141 times umpires ejected him during his Braves tenure.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
Riley went all six innings of a game called short by umpires due to two weather stoppages.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
There was clearly some confusion over whether that would be allowed, with Schultz coming back onto the field at one point, but umpires eventually let the Nats make the move.
—CBS News, 19 May 2026
There was clearly some confusion over whether that would be allowed, with Schultz coming back onto the field at one point, but umpires eventually let the Nats make the move.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
He was also remembered for his cartoonish crashouts and the 141 times umpires ejected him during his Braves tenure.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 14 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
-
That’s a pretty good crop of referees, according to the players.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Players covering their mouth with a hand, arm or shirt will be given red cards if referees deem it not to be a friendly conversation, FIFA said.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
2 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
-
The high-risk events identified in NPR's analysis include multiple high-profile matches, such as the game that determines which team takes home third place in the World Cup, and the World Cup final.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
-
Triage — the systematic process of prioritizing patients by the severity of their condition — determines the length of the delay.—
Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli,
STAT,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
See how things look after the dust settles.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
-
From up here, San Sebastián gleams to the east, the sea stretches endlessly forward, and silence settles like an ancient cloak.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
