UMPIRES Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

umpires 1 of 2

noun

plural of umpire

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

umpires

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of umpire

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

Noun

The umpires were walking past wondering what on earth was going on. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Among 25 umpires who worked the first two rounds, four had perfect rates and were confirmed on all challenges. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Volpe looked to have a home run to left field, and umpires called it a home run on the field. — Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Neither were the umpires on the field, who sent it for a replay review. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 Called a home run by the umpires on the field, video review determined the fan did interfere. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Royals Manager Matt Quatraro gets tossed after umpires reverse a run scoring balk taking away a run from the Royals. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 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

The 11th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, who helped Michigan win the national title last season, said he was astonished at the way Doncic worked the referees for foul calls.

— Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
So common was this practice that by the middle of the century, insurance companies were regularly employing their own medical referees to submit thorough and unbiased reports for review.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of referees

Verb

For an adolescent navigating friendships, rejection, identity and belonging, something that never judges them or gossips and is always available can be incredibly compelling.

— Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
He was seen on the CBS broadcast giving one of the side judges an earful.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of judges

Verb

Yannis decides to go for STP, a Black Forest gâteau, and a Mary Berry’s recipe for Queen of Desserts, which is a mix of breadcrumbs and custard with jam and topped with meringue.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Federal agencies have overlapping jurisdiction over captive marine mammals –– for sea lions, the USDA oversees their welfare and NOAA decides who can keep them for public display.

— Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of decides

Verb

How the Fed affects your money The Fed's benchmark interest rate determines what banks charge one another for overnight loans.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
In this setup, the angle between the polarized light and the polarizer determines how much light can pass through the latter.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of determines

Verb

Waititi never settles on one either, most often opting for a glibness that treats key aspects of the plot, including Klara’s rudimentary faith, into something like a joke.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Smoke from fires in the Sierra foothills, the North Coast and the northern Sacramento Valley often settles over Sacramento, and late-summer smoke tends to arrive during heat waves.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of settles

Browse Nearby Words

umpired

umpires

umpiring

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Umpires.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/umpires. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of umpires

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes