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
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026 Losing a game of chess is never fun; however, setting aflame a custom wax king piece when checkmated is losing with style. — Ayah Imran, Freep.com, 17 July 2025
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
  • Sogard followed with another single, and Jarren Duran battled Bassitt to a full count, frustrated with a check swing call, before drawing a walk to load the bases.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Few Republicans have frustrated Democrats in election after election like Valadao, a dairyman whose family emigrated from Portugal's Azores Islands.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • Anker says this is an active-deterrence camera with an auto-tracking light, 180-degree dual-radar detection, and 4K resolution.
    — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Despite the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this mix of geography, deterrence, and power has led many Americans to feel almost untouchable at home.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of deterrence
Verb
  • Whatever the reasons, Arsenal appeared to almost thwart themselves for much of a game that cried out for some ice-cool precision in front of goal.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Experts told me some prosecutors around the country were using the obscure plea as a tool to thwart exonerations.
    — Megan Rose, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 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
  • The play-by-play announcer on ESPN did not explain Perez’s removal nor address it the rest of the game, and fans following along on Reddit were baffled.
    — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Her unconventional breakdancing moves during her final performance against Lithuania’s Dominika Banevič (B-Girl Nicka) baffled audiences at home and cemented her as a meme royalty.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 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
  • Venus defeated Jennifer Capriati and Serena defeated Martina Hingis in front of a capacity crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
    — Lukas Weese, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Kangaroos accomplished that goal, defeating Paschal 31-18 and entering district competition on a positive note.
    — Gavin Vieck, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on checkmate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about checkmate

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