as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a boxing matchup that promises to be a sportswriter's dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matchup
The winner of this matchup earns the seventh playoff seed.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Here’s what to know about the matchup.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Then, there’s a chance for an Elite Eight matchup with Cronin’s mentor and St John’s head coach Rick Pitino.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The Sabres won 3-2 in the previous matchup.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matchup
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Here’s what to know about the matchup.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Then, there’s a chance for an Elite Eight matchup with Cronin’s mentor and St John’s head coach Rick Pitino.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
The Sabres won 3-2 in the previous matchup.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matchup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchup
Noun
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Pope hit a monster triple from the corner put the Horns up 75-68 with 1 minute, 29 seconds left and after Vokietaitis final miss, Mark calmly sunk four straight throws down the stretch to keep the Horns in the tournament.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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The aesthetics of a tournament matter.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two Condron free throws with 31 seconds to go in the third quarter put UCSD ahead 38-37 for the first time since the game’s opening minutes.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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The difference in the game was arguably offensive rebounding, as the Panthers grabbed nine more offensive boards than the Bears.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Pitchers throw every day in season between competition days, bullpens, flat ground sessions and box drills off of an incline from 35 feet out.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The energy during that game was electric; the crowds, the fans, the rival fans and our competition were all charged, and everyone was on the edge of their seats.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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During Monday’s event, the company presented a $50,000 donation and pledging 500 volunteer hours to Nourish Up, formerly Fishes & Loaves, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity for Charlotte families.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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The eight-team event begins with quarterfinal games April 1-2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.—
Laurence Miedema,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Brownwood slips past Godley Brownwood’s Aiden Jimenez broke a 0-0 tie with the game’s only goal, off an assist from Raven Prado, as the Lions earned a 1-0 win over Godley in a Class 4A Division 2 bi-district match on Friday at Briles Stadium in Stephenville.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
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The rain again caused multiple delays throughout the mostly gray, sometimes sunny and unseasonably cool day, in the end postponing at least six matches.—
Susan Miller Degnan,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchup. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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