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
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
Johnson grabbed the bat and gathered with the three other umpires in his crew.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Trammell, 27, ripped a double off Yankees closer David Bednar in the top of the ninth inning, and manager Aaron Boone asked the umpires to take a look at the bat.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
While walking back to the dugout, Contreras threw his bat in what appeared to be in the direction of one of the umpires.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
It was ruled a home run by the umpires working the game, but after reaching up and having the ball go in and out of his glove, left fielder Heliot Ramos came down pointing at the stands.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
The lads run up the dugout steps — their dressing room was the umpires’ locker — to a sonic blast on the level of Krakatoa, a scream unlike any noise anyone there has heard.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025
In a 3-2-2 — third pitch to the second batter in the second inning — players and umpires will bust a move.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
Johnson grabbed the bat and gathered with the three other umpires in his crew.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Trammell, 27, ripped a double off Yankees closer David Bednar in the top of the ninth inning, and manager Aaron Boone asked the umpires to take a look at the bat.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
While walking back to the dugout, Contreras threw his bat in what appeared to be in the direction of one of the umpires.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
It was ruled a home run by the umpires working the game, but after reaching up and having the ball go in and out of his glove, left fielder Heliot Ramos came down pointing at the stands.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
The lads run up the dugout steps — their dressing room was the umpires’ locker — to a sonic blast on the level of Krakatoa, a scream unlike any noise anyone there has heard.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025
In a 3-2-2 — third pitch to the second batter in the second inning — players and umpires will bust a move.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for umpires
Noun
-
Peer review is often taken to be the gold standard for science, where if a scientific paper can pass peer review, that means it’s been reviewed by editors and referees to be correct, and that others vouch for it.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce said the criticism of the tush push is going to put the famed play under the microscope of referees moving forward.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With Carrie Ann Inaba being on under the weather, judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were left to their own devices — leading to some unexpected and hilarious moments.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Your point about being present reminds me of the scene where Jack judges the girl for taking a selfie on the rooftop and Heather calls him out.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But Harold gets on famously with Duke William, at least until the Norman warlord decides to assert his claim to the English throne.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
When her studio head boss asks her to fire her head writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) to appease a toxic male movie star, Vance decides to walk away, and does it in on air.—
Megan Thomas,
CNN Money,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Gattaca, the 1997 sci-fi classic, a pair of siblings—one genetically engineered for perfection, the other naturally born—illustrate a dystopian vision where DNA determines destiny.—
Niven R. Narain,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
An information court document allows prosecutors to charge someone directly and requires a probable cause hearing, during which a judge determines if there is sufficient evidence to proceed.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cortège gestures toward that transcendence, but too often settles for the kind of veiled enchantment that follows us home through our screens.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Humanity, united by one language, settles on a plain in Shinar and begins constructing a tower to reach the heavens and make a name for themselves.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share