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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of matchups
During this phase, fans will be able to submit applications for specific matches after the final draw has revealed most of the group-stage matchups.
—
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, there aren't any Week 2 matchups between top-10 teams.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The two top players have met four times previously this season, with Sewing winning three times in quarter final matchups on her way to titles.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
There are four Top 10 matchups set for Friday night.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
While the Cavs were finishing off the Chicago Bulls this week and wrapping up the East, Atkinson stood on the court thinking about playoff matchups.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, there aren't any Week 2 matchups between top-10 teams.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The two top players have met four times previously this season, with Sewing winning three times in quarter final matchups on her way to titles.
—Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
There are four Top 10 matchups set for Friday night.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
While the Cavs were finishing off the Chicago Bulls this week and wrapping up the East, Atkinson stood on the court thinking about playoff matchups.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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
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Since reaching the Australian Open final, where Sinner beat him comprehensively, Zverev has won six Grand Slam matches in three tournaments.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fishing is such serious sport here that one of the biggest tournaments in the country, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, attracts anglers from all over the world every June.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Charlotte has now only managed a total of 14 points in two games.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Josh Moore, a graduate of West Broward High, caught one pass for seven yards and has three catches for 15 yards in two games.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Geneva Watch Days opened last Thursday with a slew of new introductions that added substance and excitement to the weekend of events seminars, roundtables and events focused on the world of luxury watches.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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In Canada, Angelina Jolie, Maude Apatow and Leslie Mann attend events at the Toronto International Film Festival.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The story is different in the three UEFA competitions, and nine English clubs had to consider their approach with continental rules in mind, too.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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The piracy network showed unauthorized streams of NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL games, as well as soccer matches from England’s Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and other European leagues, plus games from Major League Soccer, UEFA competitions, and qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In 2026, Philadelphia will host FIFA World Cup matches, Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, and NCAA March Madness games.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Hurzeler left the Brazilian forward out of Brighton’s final two matches of last season following an altercation in training with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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