CHECKMATING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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

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

Davis was unable to hear my questions, which required me to hold them up to the screen, hampering back-and-forth response.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths.

— Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hampering

Verb

Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

When transitioning from hard flooring to rugs or carpets, the system automatically adjusts suction levels and modifies its brush roll behavior to maximize particle pickup while preventing hair entanglements around the main rollers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
The discovery of the left atrial septal pouch is about more than preventing strokes.

— Subramaniam C. Krishnan, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of preventing

Verb

This, combined with the glacial pace of emissions reductions, gives the sense that key players are more interested in surviving what’s coming, rather than stopping it.

— Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
There are hydraulic disc brakes at both ends for stopping power.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of stopping

Browse Nearby Words

checkmates

checkmating

check (off)

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Style

“Checkmating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmating. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of checkmating

verb

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