1
as in tournaments
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a chess match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in marriages
a union representing a special kind of social and legal partnership between two people
from all appearances those two have got a good match there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in halves
either of a pair matched in one or more qualities
I can't find the match to this sock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in equivalents
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value
for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pictures
something or someone that strongly resembles another
Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complements
to be the exact counterpart of
does this handbag's shade of blue match my navy blue pants? the rare blood type that exactly matched that of the transplant recipient
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in meets
to produce something equal to (as in quality or value)
no one has ever been able to match that novel for its portrayal of the horrors of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of matches
Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Haiti’s World Cup team will play two warmup matches in South Florida to prepare for its historic return to the tournament.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Champions League semifinals are often more memorable than the title matches.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
The clubs have split their last four head-to-head matches, with three of those four decided by a one-goal margin.
—John Riker, New York Times, 4 May 2026
In addition to Inter Miami’s weekend games, there also will be weekday matches this year.
—Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
There are usually 20,000 parking spaces available during New England Patriots games, but parking is limited to 5,000 spots for the World Cup matches.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
That matches statistical data on trust in medical researchers and scientists in general and is in line with past measures of trust in scientists.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the rest of this family-friendly murder mystery never matches that level of wit.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
In other National Women's Soccer League matches Saturday, Gotham FC dominated visiting Bay FC 3-0, North Carolina won 1-0 at Houston, and host Chicago beat Boston 2-0.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Choose a stylish cabinet that matches your specific decor style and fits the space available.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Since no other atom matches the exact laser frequency used, false signals simply don’t enter the measurement.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Every Cava restaurant accepts donations to support a local cause and matches them with donations of up to $1,000.
—Connie Ogle
april 25, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The winning streak matches their longest in a single season since June 2024.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Midfielder Taylor Huff assisted on Kundananji’s goal, and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz finished with six saves, including one on a first-half penalty shot, as Bay FC won for the second time in its last five matches.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Haiti’s World Cup team will play two warmup matches in South Florida to prepare for its historic return to the tournament.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Champions League semifinals are often more memorable than the title matches.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
The clubs have split their last four head-to-head matches, with three of those four decided by a one-goal margin.
—John Riker, New York Times, 4 May 2026
In addition to Inter Miami’s weekend games, there also will be weekday matches this year.
—Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 4 May 2026
There are usually 20,000 parking spaces available during New England Patriots games, but parking is limited to 5,000 spots for the World Cup matches.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Verb
Its 28-game start matches the expansion 1962 Mets — who lost 120 games — along with 1964 and 1983 for the second-worst in team history behind an 8-20 opening in 1981.
—Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
That matches statistical data on trust in medical researchers and scientists in general and is in line with past measures of trust in scientists.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the rest of this family-friendly murder mystery never matches that level of wit.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
In other National Women's Soccer League matches Saturday, Gotham FC dominated visiting Bay FC 3-0, North Carolina won 1-0 at Houston, and host Chicago beat Boston 2-0.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Choose a stylish cabinet that matches your specific decor style and fits the space available.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Since no other atom matches the exact laser frequency used, false signals simply don’t enter the measurement.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Every Cava restaurant accepts donations to support a local cause and matches them with donations of up to $1,000.
—Connie Ogle
april 25, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The winning streak matches their longest in a single season since June 2024.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matches
Noun
-
Alright, so not a hot start for the McLaren clubs, but hey, this is why people don't normally switch up their equipment before big tournaments.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
This adidas competitive circuit, which draws teams from all over the country, includes three regional tournaments where teams must collect points to qualify for the culminating championship.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Games 4 and 5, the Rockets controlled the second halves.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
To do so, simply sprinkle the cut surface of the avocado halves with lemon juice, put the halves back together, wrap the cut avocado in plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bose pros Bose products are known for their rich sound, and although Bose is a top audio equipment brand, many of them are more affordable than Sonos equivalents.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, the marks are essentially phonetic equivalents and, thus, sound similar.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Participants will board a 4-wheel-drive for a bumpy 13-mile tour with frequent stops for pictures, sketches and questions.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The following slide proved that the bribe worked, as Emma adorably smiled in her school pictures, and the results were perfection.—
Georgia Slater,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Sustainable Ihram Initiative also complements other efforts by the fashion commission, such as the Swap Shop program, which encourages consumers to exchange unwanted clothes rather than discarding them.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
-
The natural wood complements the concrete patio, wooden furniture, and surrounding fences.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Here, the group marries jazz-kid experimentalism with taut punk, sprawling worldbuilding, and social commentary.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
This recipe marries three Southern favorites—bourbon, tea, and lemonade.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Loosely based on the nonfiction book You and I—The Illness Suddenly Gets Worse by Makiko Miyano and Maho Isono, the story follows the French director of a nursing home who attempts to introduce a more humane care technique and meets a terminally ill Japanese playwright.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
6 May 2026
-
Accessibility Although there are areas where design overrules function, the majority of the resort meets ADA standards with ramps and wheelchair-friendly pathways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matches. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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