MATCHES Synonyms: 217 Similar and Opposite Words

matches 1 of 2

noun

plural of match

as in tournaments

a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize a chess match

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Relevance

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

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as in halves

either of a pair matched in one or more qualities I can't find the match to this sock

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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

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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

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as in rivalries

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match

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matches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of match

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

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as in marries

to give in marriage they were happy to match their daughter to a man from a good family

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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

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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 matches

Noun

Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers. —

Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2026 The winners of those two matches will meet on Tuesday, March 31 of the following week to contest one final match to decide who goes to the World Cup. —

José Sánchez Córdova, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026 The flag football matches Friday on that Costa Mesa field are just a small glimpse into the surging growth of girls’ flag football across not just Orange County and Southern California, but across the country and world, a sport historically for the boys, but now just as much for the girls. —

Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026 The set would serve as a showpiece for anyone who is serious about the game, and perhaps art, and travels around a bit for matches. —

Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026 Dozens of organized matches took place between American and British competitors between 1885 and 1911, including the competition between Congress and Parliament. —

Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2026 Thursday’s draw also includes tickets to knockout matches in Houston and Los Angeles. —

Joseph Hernandez march 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2026 The town of Foxboro had threatened to cancel the matches before striking a deal with Boston Soccer 2026 and Kraft Sports to get advance funding for security costs. —

Neal Riley, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026 Fonseca’s practice sessions drew larger crowds than some other players’ matches. —

Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026

Verb

Food Lion Food Lion is not a restaurant, but its food often matches the quality of one. —

Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026 This matches what sources told Reuters on Monday. —

Irene Wright, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026 Jacobs is a real find as Matt, exhibiting a touch of honesty and authenticity that matches his co-star’s in every way. —

Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026 Club matches over cable remained infrequent, but as transatlantic connections grew, so did interest in long-distance chess. —

Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2026 Lieberman says Siegel brings a sense of urgency that matches the urgency that voters say those issues require. —

Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026 The production of Written Into Changes matches the new scope of her lyrics. —

Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 21 Mar. 2026 Colorado voters will decide whether transgender children can play sports with the gender that matches their gender identity or whether they'll be forced to play with other children of the same gender they were assigned at birth. —

Austen Erblat, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026 That matches the team record set by the ‘98-99 squad in the first half of that championship season. —

Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for matches

Noun

Every year, millions of Americans fill out March Madness brackets for the annual men's and women's college basketball tournaments, hoping to fulfill their unrealized dreams of selecting a perfect bracket.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Since then, Woods has played in 11 tournaments the last five seasons, finishing only four of those tournaments.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026