checkmate 1 of 2

verb

ˈchek-ˌmāt How to pronounce checkmate (audio)
Definition of checkmatenext
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal finally checkmated the billionaire in his attempt to take over the movie studio

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

checkmate

2 of 2

noun

as in deterrence

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 checkmate
Verb
In the playoffs, the NFL’s best defenses too often checkmated the Patriots pre-snap because Maye could not and/or did not audible into a new play. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2026 That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Perfect Timing Of Valentine’s Day If the Boston Globe announcement was the opening move, the Valentine’s Day activation was the checkmate. — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026 Simmons, a sophomore from Duncanville just south of Dallas, has certainly racked up his share of checkmates over the past two seasons with 20 total sacks. — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
  1. frustrate
  2. deterrence
  3. thwart
  4. thwarting
  5. baffle
  6. neutralization
  7. defeat
  8. baffling
Verb
  • For the second time in as many Big 12 games, Kansas’ football team played well enough to frustrate the opposition but not well enough to win.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The official said that Rubio had grown increasingly frustrated as the reports multiplied.
    — Matthew Lee, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • But a response built incident by incident is not deterrence, and Putin knows the difference.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In today’s geopolitical landscape, information dominance is a bedrock of strategic deterrence and national defense.
    — Rohit Jha, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of deterrence
Verb
  • On the next play, Bolden sacked Russell and thwarted the Crimson Tide’s chances of kicking a game-tying field goal.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Officials spotted the ball 1 1/2 yards from the goal line and UCLA’s defense smothered rusher Jordon Davison to thwart the Ducks' second chance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of thwart
Noun
  • To simulate thwarting advances by enemy forces using the bridge, soldiers erected layers of barriers and rolled barbed wire.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The attack’s thwarting was an undeniable success.
    — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of thwarting
Verb
  • Beyond being frustrated with the secrecy, locals said they were baffled by the lack of specifics and clarity the stakeholders had about the project, per the records.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And just last month, officials in Millcreek, Utah, were baffled to find an unknown camera installed on city property that neither the city nor police requested.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • Antonelli and Verstappen pitted during the neutralization, after they had been put on medium tires during the red flag, with Russell left out on the hards he had been given for the restart.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The current process requires two hour-long chemical treatments at 60 degrees and 90 degrees Celsius, respectively, along with multiple rinsing, soaping and neutralization steps.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of neutralization
Verb
  • Trump’s appearance in San Antonio comes as Republicans fight to keep Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico from defeating Paxton.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Unfortunately, the same forces that defeated previous permitting reform packages — primarily left-wing interest groups — are threatening to smother this legislation.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Noun
  • Those who knew me found this baffling.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
  • That said, the good outweighs the baffling.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of baffling

Browse Nearby Words

checklists
checkmate
checkmated
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Cite this Entry

“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on checkmate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about checkmate

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