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

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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
  • Miami coach Mario Cristobal was frustrated with the call after the game.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Johannesburg’s mayoral race reveals a city frustrated by years of corruption and crumbling infrastructure – and a country at a crossroad.
    — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • All favor deepening alliances and partnerships, modernizing the military, fixing the defense industrial base, strengthening deterrence, tackling transnational challenges such as global public health, and pursuing hardheaded diplomacy with rivals.
    — THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
  • However, bipartisan consensus on China deterrence, nuclear modernization and missile defense could protect other major programs, according to multiple analysts.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of deterrence
Verb
  • The requirements are aimed at thwarting fraud or improper enrollments.
    — Julie Appleby, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • That was the defensive stop needed to swing the tides of momentum, and Mensah didn’t thwart that opportunity.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 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
  • However, having gone through this first season, many are now baffled as to how the algorithm works.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But, about eight days before the election, when Acker heard that Stevens was thinking about switching her endorsement from El-Sayed to the Republican Senate candidate, Mike Rogers, he was baffled.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • The planned integration of remote neutralization technology is intended to help shorten the process between detecting a mine and taking action against it.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Definition of neutralization
Verb
  • Even before gaining overnight climate control, the 242-hp California eHybrid 4Motion was an easy favorite among all California powertrain options because of that efficient, range anxiety-defeating gas-electric capability.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • It got scuttled by courts in Missouri and then firmly defeated by its voters Tuesday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on checkmate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about checkmate

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