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
Related Words
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
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Broner also got frustrated on multiple occasions upon noticing that someone was recording him, and even grabbed the phone at one point.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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The mayor of Lobitos, Ricardo Bancayan Eche insists that protecting the waves is an issue close to his heart but says he is frustrated by national politics.—
Sabrina Weiss,
The Dial,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Such states could serve as the foundation for next-generation QKD systems that go beyond detection to deterrence—making unauthorized observation practically useless.—
Pravir Malik,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
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Few believe Kim would countenance relinquishing his nuclear deterrence, given the fates of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, both toppled after abandoning their weapons programs.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Johnson thwarted Messi again just before halftime with a heads-up save from close range.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Its pull could be enough to interact with Tropical Cyclone Nine – the possible soon-to-be Hurricane Imelda – in the Atlantic Ocean and thwart major damage in North and South Carolina.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fans in the surrounding section can be heard in shock, baffled that the man gave away such a coveted possession.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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Zeidman was baffled that Shane had been the first person Brooklyn prosecutors sought to execute.—
John J. Lennon,
Rolling Stone,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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The junior quarterback went 5-for-8 passing with 146 yards, while adding 59 yards rushing to go with three total touchdowns as Springfield Central defeated a Catholic Conference nemesis, 28-20.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Cleopatra was born in Alexandria in 69 BC, crowned queen at the age of 18 and died in 30 BC after being defeated by Octavian, also known as Emperor Augustus and the founder of the Roman Empire, during the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Education experts are raising awareness about an opportunity gap existing in schools and are worried that school equity may be hampered by the next state budget.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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The removal of Helena-West Helena's mayor in July has hampered efforts to repair the city's aging water infrastructure, according to local officials.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Sep. 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
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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 29 Sep. 2025.
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