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
All four games of this season’s head-to-head series required extra time, including three shootouts, with the Charge winning three of the four matchups against the Fleet.
—
Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
One injury can change matchups, late-game options and the way a series feels.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The Knicks had adjusted their matchups, putting Josh Hart on McCollum, which had left the Hawks’ offense sputtering.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—Associated Pess, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
So while the matchups were a factor in the game, their impact was lessened by all the penalties.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia has won four of its seven playoff series against Pittsburgh, winning the matchups in 1989, 1997, 2000, and 2012.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Peterson tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and the pitching matchups were favorable from there.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
One injury can change matchups, late-game options and the way a series feels.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The Knicks had adjusted their matchups, putting Josh Hart on McCollum, which had left the Hawks’ offense sputtering.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—Associated Pess, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
So while the matchups were a factor in the game, their impact was lessened by all the penalties.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia has won four of its seven playoff series against Pittsburgh, winning the matchups in 1989, 1997, 2000, and 2012.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Peterson tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and the pitching matchups were favorable from there.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchups
Noun
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The expansion of the NCAA men’s’ and women’s basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams, starting in March 2027, has been criticized by several prominent figures around the sport, including long-time ESPN analyst Dick Vitale.—
Gary Bedore
May 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
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In the past, Warren and Bianchi took any opportunity to go to Bianchi’s family trailer at Normandy Farms Campground – cornhole tournaments, softball tournaments, volleyball tournaments – and would spend a night or two nights just hanging out.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
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After losing the first two games of a first-place Palomar League showdown, playing poorly in the second game and losing by 12 runs, Mission Hills High School baseball coach Griffin Teisher said his team had one thing on its mind.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Some are backing away from exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions and have embraced schoolwide approaches that reward positive behavior and provide social skills practice through games and role-playing.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
During the all-day hearing Friday, the owners of both companies took the stand to give their often starkly different views of events.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Most days at Bluebird will feature free live music and other entertainment events.—
Michael Deeds
Updated May 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Noun
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The 2-2 draw halted San Diego’s five-match losing streak in MLS play, but stretched its winless run across all competitions to nine matches.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The Lions have scored multiple goals in four consecutive games across all competitions.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Midfielder Taylor Huff assisted on Kundananji’s goal, and goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz finished with six saves, including one on a first-half penalty shot, as Bay FC won for the second time in its last five matches.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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Haiti’s World Cup team will play two warmup matches in South Florida to prepare for its historic return to the tournament.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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