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
CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The trio sit in the top eight of the Champions League table going into this week’s final round of matches.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
In similar fashion, Gillette will give up its name on the stadium for the seven World Cup matches scheduled in the venue.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Corley started 21 of 24 matches in her first NWSL season, scoring twice and logging two assists.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
PickleWave has more than 22,000 matches in its database across all the pro tours.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Guanajuato borders Jalisco, where several World Cup soccer matches will be played later this year.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is playing host to nine World Cup matches between early June and mid-July.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
World Cup qualifying matches will be interspersed throughout the year.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Jordan Erb, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
The audio and video quality of the film matches the raw power of the music from beloved rock bands who were in their prime, or in the case of Beck and Foo Fighters, in their infancy.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Seeing the actress let her freak flag fly is a delight, and O’Brien, whose character also displays many facets, matches her step for step.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
The 2026 Best New Artist category proves there’s no single path to success, but there is a requirement for strategic, authentic marketing that matches the artist's core identity.
—Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
That matches club legend Duncan Ferguson’s tally and is just short of iconic names Joe Royle (276) and Howard Kendall (277).
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors let in all the Florida sunshine, while the decor’s ocean and sand color palette matches the landscape.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026
Pinta, the fourth form, is in a unique category since no other genome has ever been found that closely matches it.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
His usage largely matches the pitches’ effectiveness.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026
Noun
Inside, organizers enacted extreme heat protocols, forcing closure of the retractable roofs over the main arenas and postponement of matches on the uncovered outer courts.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The trio sit in the top eight of the Champions League table going into this week’s final round of matches.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
In similar fashion, Gillette will give up its name on the stadium for the seven World Cup matches scheduled in the venue.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Corley started 21 of 24 matches in her first NWSL season, scoring twice and logging two assists.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
PickleWave has more than 22,000 matches in its database across all the pro tours.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Guanajuato borders Jalisco, where several World Cup soccer matches will be played later this year.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is playing host to nine World Cup matches between early June and mid-July.
—Josh Roberts, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
World Cup qualifying matches will be interspersed throughout the year.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The decision matches a move by Harvard University last year to broaden educational affordability.
—Jordan Erb, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
The audio and video quality of the film matches the raw power of the music from beloved rock bands who were in their prime, or in the case of Beck and Foo Fighters, in their infancy.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Seeing the actress let her freak flag fly is a delight, and O’Brien, whose character also displays many facets, matches her step for step.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026
The 2026 Best New Artist category proves there’s no single path to success, but there is a requirement for strategic, authentic marketing that matches the artist's core identity.
—Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
That matches club legend Duncan Ferguson’s tally and is just short of iconic names Joe Royle (276) and Howard Kendall (277).
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors let in all the Florida sunshine, while the decor’s ocean and sand color palette matches the landscape.
—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2026
Pinta, the fourth form, is in a unique category since no other genome has ever been found that closely matches it.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
His usage largely matches the pitches’ effectiveness.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matches
Noun
-
Players must submit their name in the portal in that timeframe, which is a change from previous seasons when the portal opened for 30 days after the start of the second round of the NCAA tournaments.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Mater Dei has captured three tournaments this season.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For now, though, both the light and dark halves are open.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
-
But second halves seem to be where the Grizzlies thrive.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These mega data centers, or AI factories as Jensen likes to call them, have peak load equivalents to small cities.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Most experts recommend maintaining one to three years of expenses in cash or cash equivalents, plus an emergency fund that covers several months' worth of expenses.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To wrap up 2025 and her first full year as a pro athlete, Clark shared a collage of pictures, including an adorable one with her boyfriend.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The camera gets pictures and video of coyotes multiple times a week, Routh said.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated January 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will meet again tonight in a matchup that remains one of the NBA's most heated rivalries, even as both franchises enter a rebuilding phase.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, the book spends over 300 pages meticulously detailing abusers, lovers, film schedules, fashion fittings, trips, rivalries and acting lessons.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This traditional design complements many home styles, including Colonial, Victorian and modern homes.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The strap is Saffiano leather, known for its distinctive cross-hatch pattern, a brown color that complements the warm gold case and mineral dial.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The film tells the story of Lily, a florist who falls in love and marries a handsome neurosurgeon, who turns out to be physically abusive.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The muted green tone has been gaining popularity for its versatility that marries a vintage feel that still seems contemporary.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In November, shareholders approved a pay package that could eventually award him up to $1 trillion if the company meets a series of ambitious targets.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The bridge between East and West—and where old meets new.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matches. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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