Synonyms of mates

mates 1 of 2

noun

plural of mate

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

• halves
• companions
• matches
• twins
• fellows
• similarities
• peers
• counterparts
• equivalents
• coordinates
• likes
• replicas
• rivals
• parallels
• equals
• likenesses
• identical twins
• doubles
• duplicates
• mirror images
• carbon copies
• analogues
• coequals
• facsimiles
• ringers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opposites
• antipodes
• contraries
• antitheses
• reverses
• converses

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

• associates
• colleagues
• buddies
• friends
• peers
• comrades
• cohorts
• accomplices
• classmates
• companions
• fellows
• compatriots
• teammates
• compeers
• partners
• cronies
• running mates
• pals
• allies
• workmates
• coworkers
• chums
• collaborators
• hobnobbers
• equals
• affiliates
• confidants
• halves
• shipmates
• playmates
• intimates
• confederates
• housemates
• countrymen
• messmates
• roommates
• schoolmates
• familiars
• escorts
• parasites
• hearties
• attendants
• playfellows
• leeches
• hangers-on

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

• assistants
• aides
• apprentices
• adjutants
• sidekicks
• aids
• deputies
• lieutenants
• helpers
• servants
• helpmates
• coadjutors
• employees
• adjuncts
• subordinates
• helpmeets
• workers
• maids
• underlings
• scullions
• attendants
• hands
• laborers
• maidservants
• handmaidens
• hirelings
• auxiliaries
• legmen
• swampers
• help
• right hands
• girl Fridays
• gal Fridays
• aides-de-camp
• man Fridays

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

• partners
• spouses
• husbands
• wives
• consorts
• significant others
• better halves
• brides
• soul mates
• grooms
• domestic partners
• men
• ladies
• bridegrooms
• hubbies
• old men
• helpmates
• misters
• helpmeets

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• singles
• exes
• bachelors
• maidens
• maids
• spinsters
• bachelorettes

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

• friends
• buddies
• pals
• chums
• colleagues
• confidants
• comrades
• compadres
• intimates
• cronies
• sisters
• amigos
• confidantes
• partners
• familiars
• acquaintances
• musketeers
• alter egos
• brothers
• peers
• associates
• companions
• allies
• cohorts
• fellows
• sports
• collaborators
• accomplices
• supporters
• blood brothers
• confederates
• benefactors
• hearties
• sympathizers
• pen pals
• hobnobbers
• friendlies
• abettors
• well-wishers
• main men

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enemies
• foes
• competitors
• opponents
• rivals
• adversaries
• antagonists
• archenemies
• nemeses

mates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of mate

as in sleeps

to engage in sexual intercourse

cats conceive almost every time they mate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sleeps
• does it
• breeds
• has sex
• copulates
• fornicates
• fools around

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mates

Noun

Bloody conflicts over territory, mates, and more are common in social animals, and several species have their own anticipatory behaviors to prepare when a fight looks imminent. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Pals Evan Turner and Rudy Gay look like best mates at the D’USSÉ afterparty at Out of the Ordinary for the kickoff of Jay-Z’s Yankee Stadium residency on July 10 in New York City. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

And then Messi and his mates could smell the win, to avoid the peril of extra-time and penalties. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

The anchoring Rodri and Ruiz stayed central, while their team-mates created a front five to overload France’s back line and stretch them across both touchlines. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 July 2026

The researchers observed this pattern in multiple settings, including conversations between strangers, first-year college students getting to know dorm mates and adults participating in a personal development workshop. — Kim Meninger, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The female New World screwworm fly mates once in her monthslong life, and if her partner is sterile, her eggs won’t hatch — causing the population in an area to drop and then disappear. — John Hanna, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Verb

His rotation mates Jameson Taillon (20) and Shota Imanaga (17) have given up the most in the majors. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026

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