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
Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 May 2025
The scene sees Martin's character, named George, put Redford's in checkmate with some help from series star Zahn McClarnon, who portrays Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn on the series.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
Brown checkmates most defensive backs and should still post big numbers if Philly’s offense runs smoothly.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Verb
In the second, Eze again ceded the advantage, but ruthlessly capitalised on a costly blunder with a rapid-fire checkmate to seal the win and the tournament.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 May 2025
The scene sees Martin's character, named George, put Redford's in checkmate with some help from series star Zahn McClarnon, who portrays Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn on the series.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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
Brown checkmates most defensive backs and should still post big numbers if Philly’s offense runs smoothly.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
Verb
-
If the White House grows distracted, or frustrated by slow progress, fighting could easily resume.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Appearing frustrated, Pitzer grabbed the child’s finger and used it to smear icing onto their face, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That morphed following its devastating 1980s war with Iraq into more of an effort to provide a level of deterrence as Arab nations around it purchased sophisticated American bombs, warplanes and tanks that Tehran couldn’t access due to sanctions.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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But the report concludes that to make the pivot successful, Washington must invest in new logistics and infrastructure—and define whether Puerto Rico’s growing role is a matter of deterrence or the first step in a broader campaign against Venezuela.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Most of those aerial attacks were thwarted by Ukraine or otherwise failed, the air force said.—
Lilia Geho,
ABC News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Evans said he wasn’t thwarted by the brand’s adoption among Robinson and other political figures because of their lowbrow tastes.—
Steve Salter,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the immediacy around these conversations about the Titans are baffling to me.—
Nick Suss,
Nashville Tennessean,
13 Oct. 2025
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And suddenly, Glenn and the Jets headed to halftime without running a play in the nearly 40 seconds at their disposal, a move that baffled both their loyalists in New Jersey and the Broncos’ sideline across the pond.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In July, the company established a worldwide distribution deal to scale Sanitized AG’s odor neutralization and antimicrobial technologies.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
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But Ukraine need not destroy every element of the Russian military to achieve strategic neutralization—stripping away the enemy of its ability to achieve its objectives.—
ANDRIY ZAGORODNYUK,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Girls cross country In a Mid-Wach tri-meet, Ayer Shirley (9-0, 6-0 Mid-Wach D) remained undefeated after defeating host Clinton, 15-50, and Bay Path, 22-32.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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The debate was one of his last chances to try to convince voters that going with Mamdani, who already defeated the once-powerful governor in the primary this summer, would be a mistake.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
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With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That nullification earned Goldman a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, his first time in the president’s office.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The part that's less straightforward is the nullification of cause and effect.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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