as in tournament
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a boxing matchup that promises to be a sportswriter's dream
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matchup
His return would yield middling results — the Dolphins went 5-4 but lost key matchups to the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans — before he once again was injured, this time with a hip.
—
Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Love will try to change that recent playoff trajectory when the Packers (9-7-1) visit the NFC North champion Bears (11-6) in a Saturday night wild-card matchup.
—Steve Megargee, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Each week, the coaches parceled out a few plays based off that week’s matchup, then built on it each week.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Shep’s will throw a Panthers tailgate party for the team’s playoff matchup, featuring a free taco bar, cold drinks and big screens.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matchup
Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Love will try to change that recent playoff trajectory when the Packers (9-7-1) visit the NFC North champion Bears (11-6) in a Saturday night wild-card matchup.
—Steve Megargee, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Each week, the coaches parceled out a few plays based off that week’s matchup, then built on it each week.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Shep’s will throw a Panthers tailgate party for the team’s playoff matchup, featuring a free taco bar, cold drinks and big screens.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matchup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchup
Noun
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The pivot away from the tournament structure is significant, but the efficiency and transparency of the ranking system will be key for fans.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Some counties have expressed concerns for their athletes ahead of the men’s World Cup soccer tournament being played in North America this summer.—
Laurence Miedema,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Wild answered quickly, converting on their first power play when Kaprizov scored for the third time in the past two games.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
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Football heads on social media couldn’t help but notice the name, Karene Reid, on the Denver roster ahead of Sunday’s AFC title game between the Patriots and Broncos.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As investors navigate a landscape shaped by economic uncertainty, rising scrutiny, and tough competition for standout startups, decoding what ‘investment-readiness’ truly means has become as critical as the funding itself for founders hoping to raise capital.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The process of signing up clients is already competitive enough, and the agency itself works best as a place of collaboration and mutual support, not internal competition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The recognition places Atlas among the most notable technology debuts at the annual consumer electronics event, concluding on Friday, and signals growing confidence in humanoid robots moving from demos to real industrial work.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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From comfort food classics to more elevated plates, several bites stood out at a preview event.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For perhaps the direction WWE is going with this match, backstage, Zayn slapped Drew McIntyre in the face.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Babz will not be flying out to Denver for the title match.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchup. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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