1
as in halves
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 associates
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 assistants
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 partners
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 friends
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
as in sleeps
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 mates
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
And then a few of our mates left.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
This suggests his team-mates have not created enough chances for him.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Ants recognize their nest-mates by these chemicals.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Hunnicutt believes that the wolf dispersed from the pack, as this is typically the time of year when wolves go off to look for mates.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Potter and seven of his, well, best mates are here at the Mad Dog to watch their hometown team lose to Leeds.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
His latest post is of him and his two dorm mates, Benji and Max.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
The reasons why have remained unclear, although there are plenty of theories related to attracting mates, warding off opponents, and even improving reproductive success.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Noun
Others may study game tape on the competition to prepare scouting reports on their future tribe mates.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
And then a few of our mates left.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
This suggests his team-mates have not created enough chances for him.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Ants recognize their nest-mates by these chemicals.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Hunnicutt believes that the wolf dispersed from the pack, as this is typically the time of year when wolves go off to look for mates.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Potter and seven of his, well, best mates are here at the Mad Dog to watch their hometown team lose to Leeds.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
His latest post is of him and his two dorm mates, Benji and Max.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
The reasons why have remained unclear, although there are plenty of theories related to attracting mates, warding off opponents, and even improving reproductive success.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
The centre-forward is increasingly aware of these situations, positioning himself correctly or attacking the right space to offer his team-mates an option when City are attacking the wide areas.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mates
Noun
-
Art in the Open Air Hong Kong city doesn't do art by halves.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Rather than hanging from a traditional metal loop soldered to the outside, the ribbon feeds directly into an internal cavity hidden between the medal's two halves.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Epstein thought laying low was the best option but was being pressured to comment by some of his associates who were facing questions.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The sheer vastness of Epstein’s network may be shielding some of his former associates as companies decide to wait it out.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Mesa College has gotten permission to offer a bachelor’s degree program for prospective physical therapy assistants despite opposition from California State University San Bernardino, which claimed that the San Diego community college was replicating one of its courses.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Some of the messages involve Pritzker and Epstein—sometimes via their assistants—discussing plans to meet for dinner.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To me, a vision brings alignment — internally with our staff, and externally with our customers, stakeholders, and partners.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Collaboration with the school district and community partners helps ensure that our goals are aligned and our impact is meaningful.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lena Marie contacted the center on Antusas’ behalf when the two were just friends.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Users can explore articles, product guides and advice from editors, medical professionals and patients, as well as create their own registry for family and friends to shop from.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Osmond, now seventy-seven, sleeps no more than four hours a night.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Technology never sleeps, however.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Occupations that qualify for the tax break on tips as spelled out by Treasury also include bartenders, washroom attendants, elderly companions, party planners, pet groomers and more.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Almost all companions on this list use rosemary for its strong scent as a natural deterrent, but onions come with a repelling smell of their own.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The agent and his colleagues briefly surrounded her car before driving off without detaining her.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In his role overseeing the AI program at Cristo Rey, Taus conducts professional development with his colleagues on a regular basis.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mates. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
