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
  • Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • This includes intelligence and surveillance assets as well as long-range bombers, air-to-air refueling, and, ultimately, NATO’s nuclear deterrence.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026
  • The doctrine calls for the use of rapid and disproportionate force in order to establish deterrence, place pressure on decision-makers, and minimize the period of combat.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026
Definition of deterrence
Verb
  • On top of that, there was a terror attack plot at one of her concerts in Vienna in 2024, which was thwarted.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026
  • While they were successfully thwarted, the country’s Cyber Security Council noted that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to develop more advanced techniques.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 July 2026
Definition of thwart
Noun
  • The attack’s thwarting was an undeniable success.
    — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The thwarting of the Charlotte Hornets, one of the NBA’s fastest squads, is the quintessential White play.
    — Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of thwarting
Verb
  • Grantham said he was baffled by Wall Street banks’ recommendations to buy SpaceX for their clients.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 July 2026
  • Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 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
  • Michelin said defeating the current version of the measure is California Retailers Association’s top priority of all the bills that are still pending in the Legislature.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • The Texas Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-6 at Globe Life Field on Thursday night to reclaim first place in the American League West.
    — Cal Phillips Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 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 14 Jul. 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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