1
as in tournaments
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
decided he would indulge in a friendly basketball game with his friends before dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in plans
a method worked out in advance for achieving some objective
the crook told his accomplice, "Here's the game: look surprised when the police ask about the money"
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in professions
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
stand-up comedy is his game, and he's one of a handful of people making a decent living at it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in areas
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence
the education game simply was no longer of interest to her
Synonyms & Similar 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 games
The concept of dogfighting amongst the stars has been around far longer than video games set in space, but it's been a linchpin of some of the most seminal games ever developed.
—
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Tempers flared during a recent pair of NBA games, and both contests were marred by tense clashes between players.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
That flow to a degree has come at a cost to second-year Kel’el Ware, who has seen only limited minutes in his two games back after missing four with a hamstring strain.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Sportsbooks set odds and accept bets on games and players and are often tied to casinos, operating both online and in physical locations.
—Sofia Chierchio, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Donovan did not rule out the possibility that Giddey will sit out one of the games this weekend in Miami.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Tempers flared during a recent pair of NBA games, and both contests were marred by tense clashes between players.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
That flow to a degree has come at a cost to second-year Kel’el Ware, who has seen only limited minutes in his two games back after missing four with a hamstring strain.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Sportsbooks set odds and accept bets on games and players and are often tied to casinos, operating both online and in physical locations.
—Sofia Chierchio, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Donovan did not rule out the possibility that Giddey will sit out one of the games this weekend in Miami.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for games
Noun
-
There will be jousting tournaments, stage acts and comedic performances.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In his final two years in the army, Kigel was able to train for tennis, although he was not allowed to compete in tournaments.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mike James, general manager of SentryWorld and vice president of Sentry Insurance, and director of golf Danny Rainbow elaborated on the plans for the renovations — to be led Jay Blasi, who oversaw the massive overhaul of the course in 2013.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
However, the killing of two people by federal agents in recent weeks has refocused plans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
State regulators — the California Air Resources Board, the Department of Insurance, and the Bureau of Gambling Control are just three examples of the more than 200 in California — are government entities that oversee, adopt or enforce rules for certain activities, professions or industries.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
-
People have begun to donate food and water, and the community supports each other, especially protesters who have healing professions like therapists, Stauffer said.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Most areas in North Texas were covered in ice, sleet and snow, creating hazardous conditions.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In the past two years, Russian territorial gains in some areas can be measured in just yards per day, well under half a football field, the CSIS report says.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Hiwa is preparing an official letter demanding that the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling suspend and ban Iran from all international competitions.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Its content features topics on skiing, snowboarding, mountains, ski resorts, travel guides, gear reviews, outdoor events, competitions or festivals and more.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Include specific time commitments and batch creation strategies.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Even nationally, some activist groups have pushed back against protest strategies that could lead to clashes.—
Tim Sullivan,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Invest in fiction written by humans and so support human creativity, vocations, and organic economies?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While their vocations may seem contradictory, their love is born in faith, rooted in romance, and is much more than meets the eye.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Early slayers often originate between realms—people who have been near death and pulled back, or have the markings of potential vampires, or who are born at times of the year when the veil between worlds is thin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
His talent for pulling music out of phase, bending instruments to his will and inspiring the room into new realms really pushed Maren and me to summon fresh melodies and new stories out of our writing.—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Games.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/games. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
