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
as in deterrence
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of checkmate
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 9 Mar. 2025
Del Norte High’s chess team members have increasingly declared checkmate against their opponents, with the team capturing a third-place regional tournament award just four years after it was formed.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024
That would effectively checkmate any effort to investigate, much less prosecute, anyone protected by the amnesty grant.
—Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Verb
Between sips of coffee, onlooker Joe suggested to George a move which led to a checkmate.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 9 Mar. 2025
Del Norte High’s chess team members have increasingly declared checkmate against their opponents, with the team capturing a third-place regional tournament award just four years after it was formed.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
Facing a public relations checkmate, the International Chess Federation surrendered and allowed world champ Magnus Carlsen to wear jeans Monday at the World Blitz Championship in New York City.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 30 Dec. 2024
That would effectively checkmate any effort to investigate, much less prosecute, anyone protected by the amnesty grant.
—Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
Verb
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And for people who choose to lease rather than buy, $7,500 can be put toward the lease of any EV, without restrictions on price, manufacturing location or buyer income — a loophole that has pleased many automakers and frustrated many EV tax credit critics.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
22 Aug. 2025
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Children's relief group frustrated by holdup on medical treatments For decades, Palestine Children's Relief Fund's international organization has provided free and urgent medical care to children wounded in Gaza and the Middle East.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The need for deterrence faded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the U.S. drew down its forces in Europe to some 65,000 by 2010.—
Peter Rutland,
The Conversation,
22 Aug. 2025
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The aftermath of the June war with Iran—a brief but intense conflict that many believed had fully restored Israel’s deterrence—was another example, in my view, of Netanyahu forfeiting progress for political power.—
Yonatan Touval,
Time,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This thwarted the status quo of progressive creativity, maintaining the subversive narrative, giving conservatives the notion that their interests made up the new, edgy subculture.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 Aug. 2025
-
House Republicans approve bill to thwart Confederate flag removal House Republicans passed a bill that could complicate an ongoing effort in Williamson County to remove a Confederate flag from the county seal.—
Vivian Jones,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Many commenters were baffled no one wanted to match with McBride.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
President Donald Trump baffled Beverly Hills residents after saying the wealthy West Coast city is so crime-ridden that people leave their car doors and trunks unlocked to avoid having their windows or other parts of their vehicles damaged when thieves show up.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And Value Chains: Companies reducing costs and emissions can gain market share, providing financial support for carbon neutralization.—
Morten Johansen,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
The very resources that had not been brought to bear on Hamas, thus enabling the disaster of October 7, achieved the neutralization of Hezbollah within weeks.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Hamas is severely weakened but not defeated Hamas has suffered heavy losses through nearly two years of war.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Aug. 2025
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The strength of record metric rewards teams for defeating quality opponents and minimizes the penalty for losing to good teams.—
Blake Toppmeyer,
USA TODAY,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Aug. 2025
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Brooks’ progress was hampered by a serious ankle injury the next season, which ended with Bournemouth getting relegated, and illness and fitness subsequently held back his career.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The doctrine of nullification died with the Confederacy.—
Molly Gibbs,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2025
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The nullification of his diploma disqualifies Imamoglu from running for president, and the terrorism charge removes him from the mayor’s office.—
Gonul Tol,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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