mates 1 of 2

Definition of matesnext
plural of mate
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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

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
Noun
Least weekend’s pointed statement from Mohamed Salah, which was liked by a number of his team-mates, was a sign that his position was becoming untenable. James Pearce, New York Times, 30 May 2026 The engine mates to Subaru’s high-torque Lineartronic CVT with an eight-speed manual shift mode. Tim Jackson, Denver Post, 29 May 2026 The female mates and, within a few days, lays 20 to 50 eggs. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026 This is when the big ones start searching for mates, and the smaller ones try their best not to be eaten by the bigger ones, experts say. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026 Each layer supports its own community of organisms, each creature making a home, foraging for food while avoiding becoming it themselves, finding mates and caring for young. Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026 Stranger Things cast mates David Harbour, Natalia Dyer, Jamie Campbell Bower and Noah Schnapp reunite at the show's FYSEE event on May 21 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. People Staff, PEOPLE, 22 May 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
  • But the economy hasn't stalled out, in part because of that disconnect between the top and bottom halves of the population.
    Matt Peterson, CNBC, 30 May 2026
  • Instead of adhering glass icons to your container of choice, glue on pistachio shell halves instead, so that the outside of the shell faces away from the glass.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Bondi has repeatedly faced scrutiny over allegations that the DOJ has, over several presidential administrations, shielded Epstein associates from accountability.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 29 May 2026
  • Over 30 people, including members and associates of four major Mafia crime families, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and ex-NBA player Damon Jones, have been ensnared in the criminal operation.
    Tom Winter, NBC news, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • This is a positive system that increases assistants for a safer San Jose.
    Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Sweeney was among a handful of assistants who seemed to be perpetually interviewed for top jobs in recent years but never got the offer — until now.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Clark and her partners were able to interview Nash, who left DNA on a Wingstop cup, as first reported by the San Bernardino Sun.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 5 June 2026
  • Potential meal partners include titans of the tech industry like SK Group’s Chey Tae-won, LG Group’s Koo Kwang-mo and Naver’s Lee Hae-jin.
    Justina Lee,Lisa Kim, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on.
    Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • With so many of his friends and rivals stuck on shore, Botin acknowledged his lead in the standings didn’t give him the usual sense of satisfaction.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • Add that tent and the $5,100 six-seat Crew Cab upgrade, and the Paragon drives and sleeps a total of six people.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 June 2026
  • Created by Mindy Kaling, it’s set in New York, the city that never sleeps, not in order to party, but to get something on somebody’s desk first thing in the morning.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • Sunflowers and marigolds make excellent companions as marigolds repel pests and add color.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
  • The subtitle for the game is Beyond Dreams and deals with a protagonist (shown above) who is plagued by strange visions in his sleep, with what looks like a motley bunch of companions.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • An Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in a statement that the company respects its colleagues’ right to voice their opinions.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 4 June 2026
  • Many scientists believe that the vocal systems of great apes were too limited to be considered precursors of human language, but the work of Crockford, Berthet and their colleagues suggests otherwise.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mates. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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