mate 1 of 2

Definition of matenext
1
2
3
4
5

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
While copulating, female praying mantises often kill their mates and eat them. Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 More often than not, a sock or two or more will be missing its mate at the end of a laundry folding process. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Verb
While speaking to local news outlet Alaska News Source, the organization's president, Amber Morris, said the situation arose after a bird owner allowed his parakeets to mate indiscriminately. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026 Charles Darwin also proposed that intersexual selection involved females evaluating and choosing males with whom to mate based on specific traits, such as a colorful peacock plumage. Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mate
Noun
  • Overall, half of Americans (50%) support displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, including 83% of White evangelicals and 72% of Republicans.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • The Twins’ bats answered in their half of the second, with four hits and three runs.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • The announcement — made by Starmer in a statement outside 10 Downing Street — follows Labour’s poor performance in recent local elections, as well as months of intra-party turmoil over fiscal policy, welfare reforms and Starmer’s appointment of an associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 June 2026
  • In the Death of Robin Hood, a mythical figure named Robin lives in isolation until his young associate brings trouble his way that nearly kills him.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • During the congressional hearing, Ranyan testified that the agency’s assistant secretary for security met with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department earlier in the year to pursue a contract for 24-hour patrol.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Heat assistant coach Wayne Ellington will coach the team.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Amid the fallout, Honarkar lost possession of most of his properties, including the historic Hotel Laguna, where a public scuffle had broken out in 2023 between his security team and guards working for the partner who wrested control of the landmark.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • The company will also begin outreach to Lunya’s existing wholesale partners and Dana-co’s broader retail network in coming weeks.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Some travel from other parts of Minnesota after hearing about the fundraiser through friends or social media.
    Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • The journey in seeing a friend’s city anew becomes another way of seeing home.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • If that’s not impressive enough, it’s made from 100 percent cotton, so you’re guaranteed to sleep soundly all year long.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2026
  • As night fell, about 50 demonstrators remained sleeping at the site.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • In a match totalling five shots, Gotham was true on both of its attempts for a 2-0 shutout victory over the Current.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026
  • Kian Souresrafil, a Orange County resident, gets his face painted with an Iranian flag before the World Cup group stage match between Iran and New Zealand.
    Eric Thayer, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • The film’s depictions of Jeff Bezos buddy Altman and Elon Musk are said to be less than flattering.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
  • Burrus chuckles at the quirky things his buddy would do at these parties.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster