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
Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The best thing about being in the Big Brother jury house is getting to know my cast mates on a deeper level.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
The coming series marks the latest collaboration between former Saturday Night Live cast mates Shannon and Ferrell.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado At Rocky Mountain National Park, fall is known for its iconic golden aspens and elk bugling to attract mates.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
In detention, some dorm-mates were standoffish.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Brown got one back early in the second on a hard-working shift with his fourth line mates Duran and Viel.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The purpose of the dome remains unclear, though scientists have suggested pachycephalosaurs may have used them to butt heads in combat or to impress potential mates.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Our unbelievable crew, my incredible cast mates, led by the incomparable Hannah Einbinder.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
If Woltemade is still adjusting to his team-mates and his team-mates are still adjusting to him, the statistics suggest their offensive shortcomings are more fundamental.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The best thing about being in the Big Brother jury house is getting to know my cast mates on a deeper level.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025
The coming series marks the latest collaboration between former Saturday Night Live cast mates Shannon and Ferrell.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2025
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado At Rocky Mountain National Park, fall is known for its iconic golden aspens and elk bugling to attract mates.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
In detention, some dorm-mates were standoffish.
—Dan Greene, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Brown got one back early in the second on a hard-working shift with his fourth line mates Duran and Viel.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
The purpose of the dome remains unclear, though scientists have suggested pachycephalosaurs may have used them to butt heads in combat or to impress potential mates.
—Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Our unbelievable crew, my incredible cast mates, led by the incomparable Hannah Einbinder.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mates
Noun
-
For now, Browning — still in line to start a fourth consecutive game despite an array of problems that have led to being outscored 69-9 in the first halves of the last three games — will be receiving those calls.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Roanoke earned praise for its revitalization of the franchise, taking a fresh approach that essentially divides the season into two halves.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Some areas of concern outlined in the audit overlap with the findings in an IndyStar investigation in late September, which unveiled that a top executive at the IEDC was part of decisions to award millions in grant money to entities he or two of his business associates were involved in.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Other tech companies have also been rolling out their own AI browser assistants.—
Jaures Yip,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In total, there are 30 people in each morning meeting, from quality control assistants and members of the training staff to strength coaches and admissions representatives.—
Christopher Kamrani,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Talks are also ongoing with potential partners to bring similar concepts to resort locations such as Dubai, Ibiza, Macao, and Thailand.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
4 Oct. 2025
-
By 2009, Ina Garten's Engagement Roast Chicken entered the chat, and rumor has it that a similar dish may have inspired Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to finally shift from partners to fiancés.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sullivan and Quinn became fast friends, and Quinn went on to serve as a groomsman when Sullivan married his wife, Kate.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
That same month, Phypers accused Richards of having an addiction to Vicodin in a letter to friends and family that was obtained by Page Six.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The modern, upscale building sleeps about 60 people in dormitory beds and private rooms, and even has a hot shower.—
Scott Yorko,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Her mother still sleeps downstairs.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Unable to plausibly explain to the authorities what happened — or why she’s covered in her friends’ blood — Sarah is forced back to the subterranean depths to help locate her five missing companions.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Devotees give their lives over to the dictates of their AI companions, and some even profess undying love to their digital counterparts, relationships that have led to tragedy.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Elise Christopher oversaw the high school longitudinal studies at the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the Institute of Education Sciences, until she was laid off in March along with dozens of her colleagues.—
Carmela Guaglianone,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
-
As our colleagues at Bleacher Report wrote, ticket prices for the Los Angeles Lakers surged as speculation grew that James might actually be announcing the end of his playing career.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mates. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share