as in tournaments
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
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Recent Examples of matchups
Still, these Leafs-Oilers matchups are almost always fun, and the Edmonton crowd should be hot.
—
Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Considering the vast majority of district games for top teams are often blowouts, the competition in a new district of doom is much needed, and will provide some interesting matchups, including North Crowley against Waxahachie.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
These two resurgent programs could be in for some fun matchups this fall.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
There will be plenty of matchups for the pair in the future.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
In their two matchups in high school, Peterson came out on top.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2026
Hinchcliffe’s outing was reminiscent of the gems former four-year star Julianna Taylor used to dial up in big matchups for HPNA, denying Methuen/Tewksbury on its first 23 shots.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
From electrifying performances by the sport’s biggest stars to unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat matchups and dramatic comeback victories, the World Baseball Classic delivers some of the most unforgettable moments in the game.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Dates and matchups for the 2027 and 2028 events will be announced once the NHL schedules for those seasons are announced, as a Wild home game is traditionally the final event of the night.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Considering the vast majority of district games for top teams are often blowouts, the competition in a new district of doom is much needed, and will provide some interesting matchups, including North Crowley against Waxahachie.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2026
These two resurgent programs could be in for some fun matchups this fall.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
There will be plenty of matchups for the pair in the future.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
In their two matchups in high school, Peterson came out on top.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2026
Hinchcliffe’s outing was reminiscent of the gems former four-year star Julianna Taylor used to dial up in big matchups for HPNA, denying Methuen/Tewksbury on its first 23 shots.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
From electrifying performances by the sport’s biggest stars to unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat matchups and dramatic comeback victories, the World Baseball Classic delivers some of the most unforgettable moments in the game.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Dates and matchups for the 2027 and 2028 events will be announced once the NHL schedules for those seasons are announced, as a Wild home game is traditionally the final event of the night.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchups
Noun
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Russia also lost the right to host, or even bid, for tournaments for four years.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Damon emphasized that winners of the independent tournaments will not be labeled as state champions.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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San Francisco — FanDuel CEO Amy Howe told CNN Sports on Friday her company is working closely with the NFL to ensure that enormous events like the Super Bowl, one of the games that draws the most action annually, are insulated from problematic gambling.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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The tiredness of the players has a diminishing effect on the level of spectacle and the games and goals become unmemorable.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The ceremonies, too, were split geographically, with Olympic cauldrons in both cities, with the athletes’ parade further shared with Livigno and Predazzo, national delegations divided according to where their events would be held.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Willingham returned from lunch, then went from his secluded office to the locked evidence room, which he was not authorized to enter, multiple sources with knowledge of the events told CNN.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Although there will be a couple of weeks of sports competitions to come, none are possible without an opening ceremony, a combination of solemn official protocol with a fantastic representation of the host country’s culture and character, evoking the Olympic spirit itself.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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All told, Rodriguez has played for nine clubs, totaling 127 goals and 161 assists in 516 appearances across all competitions.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, Venus Williams, the 45-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, appears determined to keep trying to win tennis matches at an age when most players have long retired.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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In the doubles tournament at Flushing Meadows, Venus and Leylah Fernandez won two matches before losing in quarterfinals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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