checkmates

verb

present tense third-person singular of checkmate
as in frustrates
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmates
  1. frustrates
  2. baffles
  3. hampers
  4. thwarts
  5. defeats
Verb
  • What frustrates him more is the way Americans talk about those caught in it.
    — Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • That distinction — chosen versus imposed — is what separates a line that builds anticipation from one that simply frustrates.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of frustrates
Verb
  • Meanwhile, McGrew agreed to adjustments, including adding baffles to reduce sound from a attached generator for the tower and replacing tower fencing that incorporated barbed wire with taller, more natural looking fencing.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Definition of baffles
Verb
  • The lack of open pores in the soil also hampers the movement of air and water.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Cybersecurity experts increasingly warn that restricting access to advanced AI models hampers defenders’ ability to identify vulnerabilities, test systems, and develop countermeasures.
    — James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Another tactic is treating ship hulls with special paint that thwarts unwanted hitchhikers from latching on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • In Homer’s Odyssey, Poseidon thwarts Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca while Athena intervenes to help him.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
Definition of thwarts
Verb
  • The player whose monster army defeats the most babies wins the game.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Just don’t withdraw more money from your bank account; that defeats the purpose.
    — Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeats
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.

Browse Nearby Words

checkmated
checkmates
checkmating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Checkmates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmates. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of checkmates for Spanish Speakers

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