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
Consecutive weekly rounds of voting in head-to-head matchups reduce the competitors until the winning product is announced at a ceremony April 15 at the governor’s mansion in Springfield.
—
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Almost as important as Denver’s games this week will be a pair of matchups between the Lakers and Rockets in Houston.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
In the other playoff matchups, Round Rock hosts Westlake on Thursday, Vandegrift hosts Austin High on Friday and Lake Travis hosts Cedar Ridge Saturday.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
Both teams posted home victories in two matchups last season.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Before the games begin, the women’s tournament starts with Selection Sunday, which reveals all 68 teams, seedings and matchups during the first round of the massive annual collegiate competition.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
The official bracket with game dates and matchups were released Sunday, including start times and TV channels.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Hawaii entered 0-3 in matchups against UC Irvine in the tournament (2013, 2018 quarterfinals and 2015 finals).
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Of Charlotte’s second round matchups (Tulane, Memphis), the 49ers were blown out by Memphis and escaped with a narrow victory against Tulane.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Almost as important as Denver’s games this week will be a pair of matchups between the Lakers and Rockets in Houston.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
In the other playoff matchups, Round Rock hosts Westlake on Thursday, Vandegrift hosts Austin High on Friday and Lake Travis hosts Cedar Ridge Saturday.
—Butch Hart, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
Both teams posted home victories in two matchups last season.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Before the games begin, the women’s tournament starts with Selection Sunday, which reveals all 68 teams, seedings and matchups during the first round of the massive annual collegiate competition.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
The official bracket with game dates and matchups were released Sunday, including start times and TV channels.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Hawaii entered 0-3 in matchups against UC Irvine in the tournament (2013, 2018 quarterfinals and 2015 finals).
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Of Charlotte’s second round matchups (Tulane, Memphis), the 49ers were blown out by Memphis and escaped with a narrow victory against Tulane.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchups
Noun
-
Walk-up registration is available for most tournaments, but not the pro events.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
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The move to a summer-to-spring calendar aims to put MLS in a more competitive position for player transfers, while also freeing up its players for national team duties during the summer, when many major international tournaments take place.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After all, the Zags boast the second-longest active NCAA Tournament streak at 27 consecutive appearances and have won 29 tournament games over the past 10 years, which is more than any other squad in the country.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 2026
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Getafe is led by Mauro Arambarri, with five goals (33rd in LaLiga) through 28 games.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This heat wave is so extreme that it would only be expected to occur once about every 500 years in the current climate, according to World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists who study links between extreme weather events and climate change.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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The issue has not been detailed, but such events are expected during early-stage testing of experimental aircraft.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There will also be live music and entertainment, competitions and a peach pedal bike ride.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
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The only question is whether their uptick in performances is too little, too late — but Nuno’s side have only lost two of their last 12 matches in all competitions.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Nine matches at the 2024 Olympic Games were played in Paris’ Parc de Prince stadium, 37 matches in the 2021 Olympics were played in the greater Tokyo area, 12 matches for the 2016 Games were held in Rio de Janeiro and Wembley Stadium hosted nine matches at the 2012 Games.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
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The streamer’s total tally of seven matches a company-best (first achieved five years ago).—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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