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
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 matchups
The Knicks have three other matchups after the Abu Dhabi trip, all at home in Madison Square Garden.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Boise State had forfeited two regular season matchups to SJSU that season amid the controversy.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The league features 10 teams who compete in a series of head-to-head matchups.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
However, when major rivals are removed from hypothetical matchups, Mamdani’s lead narrows, especially against Cuomo, indicating anti-Mamdani voters could consolidate if the race dynamics shift.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Regardless of circumstance, Mahomes has historically gotten the better of Jackson head to head, winning four of five matchups that might have been perfect if not for an untimely fumble by Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2021.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
After a little more than 72 hours between their Week 2 and Week 3 matchups, the Dolphins will have nearly a dozen days to prepare for the Jets, a period that can be used to focus on areas of weakness.
—Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Astrology addicts, meanwhile, will get their horoscopes with a pop culture twist, with weekly cosmic predictions, celeb-sign matchups and zodiac memes.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Boise State had forfeited two regular season matchups to SJSU that season amid the controversy.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
The league features 10 teams who compete in a series of head-to-head matchups.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
However, when major rivals are removed from hypothetical matchups, Mamdani’s lead narrows, especially against Cuomo, indicating anti-Mamdani voters could consolidate if the race dynamics shift.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Regardless of circumstance, Mahomes has historically gotten the better of Jackson head to head, winning four of five matchups that might have been perfect if not for an untimely fumble by Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2021.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
After a little more than 72 hours between their Week 2 and Week 3 matchups, the Dolphins will have nearly a dozen days to prepare for the Jets, a period that can be used to focus on areas of weakness.
—Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Astrology addicts, meanwhile, will get their horoscopes with a pop culture twist, with weekly cosmic predictions, celeb-sign matchups and zodiac memes.
—Stacy Lambe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchups
Noun
-
The SoCal Sports Complex there has 20 grass soccer fields that host teams from throughout the state for weekend tournaments.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
White was a visible presence at his tournaments, including his breakthrough win at the Mexico Open at Vidanta earlier this year.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Over the past two games, Jenkins has turned the ball over four times.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The midfielder’s defensive contributions to see out Arsenal’s seventh clean sheet from their opening 10 games of the season should not be overlooked either.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In celebration of the new store, Primark is planning to host a series of events throughout opening weekend.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
-
According to research by Groundwork USA, a national network of environmental nonprofits, the amount of rainfall during intense precipitation events in the Midwest has increased by 42% since 1956.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Palace last lost a match on April 16 — 5-0 away at Newcastle United — and since then have gone 18 unbeaten across five competitions to move level with the team from 1969.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
For example, the Rotarians support Interact, music competitions, a four-way speech competition and a holiday craft fair at Valley Elementary.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In April 2012, United made the short trip to Wigan eight points ahead of title rivals City, with six matches left to play.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share