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
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 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
Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
In the last episode, Mya checkmated Tommy with one simple question and has proven her wisdom in the pretrial phase.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Verb
Del Norte High’s chess team members have increasingly declared checkmate against their opponents, with the team capturing a third-place regional tournament award just four years after it was formed.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 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
Brown checkmates most defensive backs and should still post big numbers if Philly’s offense runs smoothly.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
In the last episode, Mya checkmated Tommy with one simple question and has proven her wisdom in the pretrial phase.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 17 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
Verb
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Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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Others are frustrated by the sheer volume of low-effort AI content flooding their feeds.—
Zach Vallese,
CNBC,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Unlike deterrence by punishment, which threatens consequences like economic sanctions, a strategy of denial seeks to convince an aggressor that its objectives are unobtainable, by making the likelihood of a catastrophic military defeat more credible.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
-
What once seemed like a regional containment policy now shows the traits of a broader, irreverent deterrence doctrine—enabled by unconditional U.S. support.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Russia's ambitions to produce more military aircraft are being thwarted by a shortage of components caused by sanctions and a growing labor shortage, it has been reported.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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The ruling also bolsters Trump’s frequent claims that his expansive use of his executive powers has been unfairly thwarted by judicial overreach.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
Verb
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But Bird also throws a devastating slider to right-handers and a curveball that can baffle.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
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The topic, added late to the ACIP agenda and without much detail, has baffled some vaccine experts.—
Liz Neporent,
ABC News,
25 June 2025
Noun
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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
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The very resources that had not been brought to bear on Hamas, thus enabling the disaster of October 7, achieved the neutralization of Hezbollah within weeks.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The Italian became the first man or woman from her country to defeat a top-3 seed at Wimbledon since the Open Era began in 1968.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Unlike other characters that need to jump on enemies to defeat them, DK can throw an endless stream of haymaker punches in all directions and can even rip chunks of rock and the ground itself out to throw with precision.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The nullification of his diploma disqualifies Imamoglu from running for president, and the terrorism charge removes him from the mayor’s office.—
Gonul Tol,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Mar. 2025
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Forgetting is a step toward nullification.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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