checkmating

verb

present participle of checkmate
as in frustrating
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

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 checkmating In the event’s final game, Nakamura caught headlines by theatrically throwing reigning Classical world champion Gukesh Dommaraju’s king into the crowd after checkmating him. — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmating
  1. frustrating
  2. thwarting
  3. hampering
  4. baffling
  5. defeating
  6. preventing
  7. stopping
Verb
  • But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Definition of frustrating
Verb
  • The potential signing has divided Barça fans, weighing midfield depth and Rodri's age against acquiring an elite World Cup winner and thwarting rivals.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Some blame the Big Ten and SEC for thwarting the legislation.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of thwarting
Verb
  • Delays connecting new power plants to the grid are hampering progress.
    — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Toub said the only scenario in which a rookie wouldn’t participate in special teams is because of an injury — such as the shoulder issue that’s currently hampering the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick, cornerback Mansoor Delane.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • Despite some protests about a dog contributing to the game, Buddy — clad in a bright blue jersey and two pairs of basketball kicks — scores baffling basket after baffling basket, leaving the other team shocked.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of baffling
Verb
  • The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon really lived up to their nickname, defeating Malawi 3-0 with all three goals coming in the first half.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Moody was elected the state's attorney general twice, defeating her Democratic challenger in 2022 by more than 20 points.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeating
Verb
  • Pharmaceutical giants Moderna and Merck said Wednesday that an experimental vaccine treatment has shown signs of preventing cancer from returning or spreading in a study of high-risk melanoma patients.
    — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The display defied restrictions preventing Israeli participants from competing under their national flag.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of preventing
Verb
  • After stopping for gas, the suspect takes off with the gas nozzle still attached to the bike.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Like actual religion, to continue on versus stopping becomes a question of faith.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of stopping

Browse Nearby Words

checkmates
checkmating
check (off)
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Cite this Entry

“Checkmating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmating. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on checkmating

Nglish: Translation of checkmating for Spanish Speakers

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