mate 1 of 2

noun

Definition of matenext
1
as in half
either of a pair matched in one or more qualities have you seen the mate to this glove anywhere?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in associate
a person frequently seen in the company of another that lout and his mates are known troublemakers in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in assistant
chiefly British a person who helps a more skilled person a plumber and his mate showed up to fix the sink in our London hotel room

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in partner
the person to whom another is married they vowed to each other that they would remain mates for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in friend
chiefly British a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another spent the weekend in London with some of his mates from Oxford

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mate

2 of 2

verb

as in to sleep
to engage in sexual intercourse cats conceive almost every time they mate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 mate
Noun
Hardy missed playing football every day and has enjoyed cheering on his backfield mate. — Pj Green november 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2026 Warren, in the midst of a breakout year, and backfield mate Rico Dowdle ran through gaping holes as the Steelers ran for 200 yards, including 160 in the first half, the most by any team in the opening half this season. — CBS News, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
The researchers found a population deep in a Japanese mountain valley where left- and right-coiling snails can mate and exchange genes. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox and is equipped with a slip and assist clutch. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mate
  1. half
  2. associate
  3. assistant
  4. partner
  5. friend
  6. sleep
  7. match
  8. buddy
Noun
  • With rain falling in the second half, linebacker Nick Bolton slipped and fell on the Bronco’s explosive 22-yard play to Adam Trautman on the drive that ended in a score.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Rams safety Quentin Lake intercepts a pass in the first half.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of half
Noun
  • At the same time, Democrats could use their congressional powers to expose uncomfortable details of deals between Gulf investors and the president’s relatives and associates, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s family.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Palacios testified that Désir, along with Ashkard Pierre, another close associate of Sanon, took him and the other former soldiers from a hotel to a mountaintop house that would serve as the staging ground for the attack.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of associate
Noun
  • In 1992, while arranging insurance for Judd’s Marfa properties, his bookkeeper and assistant Jeff Kopie proposed leaving three small buildings then under renovation off the policy altogether, noting their minimal value.
    — Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Abbott said that Accenture research found that 65% of consumers are open to using a GPT-like financial assistant through a Gen AI platform or digital wallet, and 71% would welcome an AI assistant embedded within their primary bank's mobile app.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of assistant
Noun
  • Starting first with a country club and then adding more planned developments, Soffer and his partners then transformed nearly 800 acres of swampland into what’s now Aventura.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The floppy chains bend and stretch to reach nearby partners as opposite charges attract.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of partner
Noun
  • Others allowed their children to live with friends and relatives across the state during the school year.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Navarrete was living with his friends in a South Fort Worth apartment complex after his parents were deported to Columbia.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of friend
Verb
  • Residents were also advised to install window screens and chimney caps, secure exterior doors and avoid leaving unscreened windows open, particularly while sleeping.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • For the first time in a dozen years, a leading OB-GYN group has updated its guidance on managing hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes and other disruptive symptoms that often come with menopause.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of sleep
Noun
  • Daniel Gazdag scored in the 53rd minute for New England, which failed to extend its four-match winning streak and lost for the first time this season after being ahead or tied in the 75th minute.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Although Sunday’s match was a home game for Angel City (15-8-7), it wasn’t played at home.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of match
Noun
  • Levine already knew Clarkson and Queen Latifah, but Green was a new addition to his Voice buddies.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Troy didn’t know about his buddy’s new deal, wasn’t happy not to know and reportedly doesn’t quite get that much, so there is little joy in Mudville’s press box.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of buddy

Phrases Containing mate

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matchups
mate
mated
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Cite this Entry

“Mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mate

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