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 requirements are aimed at thwarting fraud or improper enrollments.
    — Julie Appleby, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Masterson, who has spent the last six years thwarting Kelly’s will as a top legislative leader in Topeka’s Republican supermajority, is now highlighting examples of his bipartisan achievements and describing Holscher as a socialist.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of thwarting
Verb
  • All of that said, getting salaries with Porzingis to match likely would require hampering the Heat rotation elsewhere.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • The latest weakening of criteria is baffling if not unsurprising given the agency’s pitifully weak, unserious leadership.
    — Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 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
  • The Rams find the end zone late in the second quarter after a sluggish start and don’t look back, defeating the Chargers 24-9 to improve to 4-4 on the season.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The matchup was billed as a rematch of Super Bowl LX, which Seattle won in February by defeating New England 29-10 to claim the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of defeating
Verb
  • What the experts say Deputies and firefighters blocked off large swaths of Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue, preventing some residents from accessing their nearby homes and cars.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There are no state regulations preventing voters from bringing their kids and a furry companion along for the wait.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of preventing
Verb
  • Cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum had Tampa Bay's other picks, with the last turnover stopping a second-half drive in Bucs territory when Atlanta still had an opportunity to get back into the game.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • At the rear, stopping duties are handled by a 230-mm disc and a two-piston caliper, also using 27-mm pistons.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of stopping

Browse Nearby Words

checkmates
checkmating
check (off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Checkmating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmating. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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