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
  • During the delay, television cameras captured the Blue Jays waiting and visibly frustrated by the delay, with Scherzer among the players reacting to what was happening.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • North is frustrated with Jasper County officials, specifically the commissioners, for pushing the project through.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • Even during the Cold War, allies differed on threat perception, with West Germany pursuing Ostpolitik and détente even as frontline states pressed for deterrence, and the Euromissile deployments split publics and governments alike.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • There’s already been a push in South Korea for Seoul to have its own nuclear weapons and not rely on Washington for deterrence.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of deterrence
Verb
  • The 78-year-old had been indicted ​in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart ​public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related ⁠to Covid-19 research grants.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related to COVID-19 research grants.
    — Nate Raymond, USA Today, 19 Aug. 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 scene never fails to baffle the senses as the path rises up about a thousand feet from the valley floor.
    — Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • She is baffled by the way her friends Moe and Fumina rail against their parents, especially when Yuko is always holding back at home, forever walking on eggshells.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • The two antibodies also worked additively, producing stronger neutralization together than either antibody achieved alone.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • By integrating detection, deception, and neutralization into a single ecosystem—and leveraging the power of autonomy—Ultra Maritime is redefining how naval forces defend themselves beneath the waves.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of neutralization
Verb
  • Sending a message to a friend in the same city seems, at least in my opinion, to defeat the purpose.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Against this testing backdrop, Jakirovic guided Hull to an incredible promotion, defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 in May’s play-off final after finishing sixth in the regular campaign.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on checkmate

Nglish: Translation of checkmate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about checkmate

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