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
Relevance
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 matchup
Her minutes started to dwindle with the Valkyries’ first matchup with Las Vegas on May 31.
—
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Group play will open with a David-and-Goliath matchup between Germany and Curacao, playing its first World Cup game.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
The Golden Knights won the last matchup 5-4 in overtime.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
As Lalas alluded to, many of the biggest matchups will air in primetime, providing maximum exposure to an American audience that may not have seen France’s Kylian Mbappé or Norway’s Erling Haaland.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for matchup
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Group play will open with a David-and-Goliath matchup between Germany and Curacao, playing its first World Cup game.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
The Golden Knights won the last matchup 5-4 in overtime.
—ABC News, 8 June 2026
As Lalas alluded to, many of the biggest matchups will air in primetime, providing maximum exposure to an American audience that may not have seen France’s Kylian Mbappé or Norway’s Erling Haaland.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for matchup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchup
Noun
-
In Seattle, Nordstrom will support Summer of Sports at Westlake Park – a free, open-to-the-public outdoor viewing destination with a Nordstrom VIP area, marquee matchups and food and drink, including watch parties on each of the tournament’s six Seattle match dates.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
The risk is not theoretical The dangers of hot, humid weather are not new to professional soccer players and tournament organizers, though the risks are getting more pronounced as the planet warms.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
From junior games on pitches every weekend, to crowds piling into pubs to watch England play the World Cup, football, as it is called outside of the United States, is deeply ingrained in the British national psyche.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
During his contract year with the Braves in 2022, Swanson appeared in all 162 games and made 161 starts at shortstop, logging 1,433 innings at a premium defensive position while also producing 25 home runs and 96 RBIs.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
What’s more, golf is a sport famed for its adherence to tradition, and not all technological advances are permissible in competitions.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
And the second American director in competition, Ira Sachs, also upheld his standing.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Trump has attended numerous sporting events since beginning his second term, including the Super Bowl in New Orleans two seasons ago, the Daytona 500 and the Ryder Cup.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
-
Although the structure itself has been replaced, the site has been home to community gatherings, events, concerts and celebrations for the past 130 years.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
On March 1 the following spring, Hulst won his varsity singles tennis match that afternoon and then came back to win the varsity 2-mile in a dual meet that night.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
After 15 matches last season, SDFC was 8-4-3, sitting on 27 points with a plus-10 goal differential and already looking less like an expansion team than a Western Conference problem.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchup. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
