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
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Williams, meanwhile, wears a black brace to protect the thumb during matches.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Security is an especially delicate topic now, as Mexico gears up to host World Cup matches in June and July.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Typically, special event trains to Gillette Stadium for New England Patriots games, New England Revolution matches and concerts are $20 round trip.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
An echo of these matches lies in Human Mask (2014), a haunting video work by Pierre Huyghe, set in Fukushima after the destruction wrought by the tsunami and then the breakdown of the nuclear reactor.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The dimensions of the timbers correspond exactly to the drawings of the ship that survive, and the dendrochronological dating matches the vessel’s year of construction in 1772.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
The Principality side won a seventh straight Ligue 1 game and increased its unbeaten run to 10 league matches.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Iran’s football federation requested that FIFA move its matches to Mexico, but FIFA denied the request.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Ziwe matches her dress to the carpet of The Drama New York City special screening on April 2.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Just as in the morning, choose a formula that matches your skin type.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
The honey colorway is headed for my windowsill (and very nearly matches my favorite teapot).
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026
The streamlined silhouette is flattering on practically every foot and matches everything, too, from breezy summer dresses to jeans, a T-shirt, and an oversized blazer.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
That is MacKinnon’s 51st goal, which matches his career high from two seasons ago.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
The channel also features deal segments tied to Amazon shopping events and everyday deal streams, alongside licensed lifestyle programming that matches Amazon’s key shopping categories.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
When a customer completes an order online with a participating retailer, SameDay Local automatically matches them to the appropriate vehicle and driver, assigns the route and provides them live near-real-time tracking updates from pickup to delivery.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Brody Miller Tennis Endorsements and, in some cases, exhibition matches, are often what push top tennis players’ yearly earnings into eye-popping territory.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Williams, meanwhile, wears a black brace to protect the thumb during matches.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Security is an especially delicate topic now, as Mexico gears up to host World Cup matches in June and July.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Typically, special event trains to Gillette Stadium for New England Patriots games, New England Revolution matches and concerts are $20 round trip.
—Neal Riley, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
An echo of these matches lies in Human Mask (2014), a haunting video work by Pierre Huyghe, set in Fukushima after the destruction wrought by the tsunami and then the breakdown of the nuclear reactor.
—Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The dimensions of the timbers correspond exactly to the drawings of the ship that survive, and the dendrochronological dating matches the vessel’s year of construction in 1772.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
The Principality side won a seventh straight Ligue 1 game and increased its unbeaten run to 10 league matches.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Iran’s football federation requested that FIFA move its matches to Mexico, but FIFA denied the request.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
Sporting had also won all five of their Champions League home matches this season, including a stunning 5-0 comeback victory over Bodo/Glimt in the last 16, having lost the first leg 3-0 in Norway.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Ziwe matches her dress to the carpet of The Drama New York City special screening on April 2.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Just as in the morning, choose a formula that matches your skin type.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
The honey colorway is headed for my windowsill (and very nearly matches my favorite teapot).
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026
The streamlined silhouette is flattering on practically every foot and matches everything, too, from breezy summer dresses to jeans, a T-shirt, and an oversized blazer.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
That is MacKinnon’s 51st goal, which matches his career high from two seasons ago.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
The channel also features deal segments tied to Amazon shopping events and everyday deal streams, alongside licensed lifestyle programming that matches Amazon’s key shopping categories.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
When a customer completes an order online with a participating retailer, SameDay Local automatically matches them to the appropriate vehicle and driver, assigns the route and provides them live near-real-time tracking updates from pickup to delivery.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matches
Noun
-
That appears clear in recent March Madness tournaments, where good teams are winning at historically high rates.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During tournaments, this mouse is incredibly reliable thanks to its fast response rate, enabling quicker keystrokes and actions.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And this is certainly not the sort of outfit that does anything by halves—the four-floor spa is one of the city’s finest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Indiana responded with one of the most dominant halves in NCAA Tournament history, outscoring the Wolverines 57-33 to rally for an 86-68 victory in Philadelphia.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The changes would mean reductions of almost 8,4000 positions and about 9,4000 full-time equivalents (FTEs).—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Berkshire reported more than $370 billion in cash equivalents on the books at year-end, largely held in Treasury bills.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two television cameras looking down from an altitude of about 450 miles made initial pictures of earthly cloud patterns on the satellite’s second orbitable trip.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After walking into her personal office to find Gordon redecorating the room with pictures of herself, Gomez sits down to review her assistant's to-do list for the day.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Others are places of conflict caused by rivalries between countries or peoples, disputes over national resources, or disagreements about the past.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If festive pride persists, it is no longer connected to a country, empire, culture, or race, but the unique traditions of individual municipalities, pitted against one another in fierce but friendly, sportsmanlike rivalries.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This complements AiOnX’s current development sites in Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and the UK, creating a more comprehensive and strategically aligned pan-European platform.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The neutral color palette complements the open, airy space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a new generation of technology marries computer analysis with cameras or the same electromagnetic fields as metal detectors to detect knives and guns.—
Jeff Amy,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But a new generation of technology marries computer analysis with cameras or the same electromagnetic fields as metal detectors to detect knives and guns.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Join us at the Four Seasons for a celebration where cuisine meets culture.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Clients being served at the time of closure will be connected with resources that best meets their needs at the time including other city shelter sites, residential treatment, and permanent supportive housing.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matches. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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