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
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Recent Examples of mates
Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
During this period, alligators tend to be more active and may travel outside their usual habitats in search of mates, sometimes showing up in neighborhoods, roadways and other unexpected places.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The Colombian’s team-mates subsequently pulled out of the stage of the Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo due to take place that day.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
The real twist here is a disadvantage because, in losing, Christian has to take an envelope back to camp and read its contents in front of his tribe mates.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
The former Joy Division and New Order bassist flatly ruled out any reunion with his ex-band mates, even for a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honor.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Woodpeckers will also drum on your home and gutters to attract mates.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Savannah Louie sat on a log, surrounded by tiki torches and silent camera crew members, holding hands with her cast-mates, one on either side.
—thehustle.co, 17 Apr. 2026
My mates and bandmates are all chosen accordingly.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
Noun
Watch the video above to see the gentoo penguins picking out the perfect pebble for their mates!
—Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
During this period, alligators tend to be more active and may travel outside their usual habitats in search of mates, sometimes showing up in neighborhoods, roadways and other unexpected places.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The Colombian’s team-mates subsequently pulled out of the stage of the Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo due to take place that day.
—Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
The real twist here is a disadvantage because, in losing, Christian has to take an envelope back to camp and read its contents in front of his tribe mates.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
The former Joy Division and New Order bassist flatly ruled out any reunion with his ex-band mates, even for a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honor.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Woodpeckers will also drum on your home and gutters to attract mates.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
Savannah Louie sat on a log, surrounded by tiki torches and silent camera crew members, holding hands with her cast-mates, one on either side.
—thehustle.co, 17 Apr. 2026
My mates and bandmates are all chosen accordingly.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 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
-
Both halves of the weekend will have afternoon temperatures below normal.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Citrus Peels and Juiced Flesh Don’t discard those juiced lemon halves.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All this in an environment where politicians like Jeff Bridges (running for state treasurer who lives in the Cherry Creek school district) whine and snivel about his associates in the teachers’ union not having the funds to effectively teach our kids.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
His associates have unleashed a war over control of the Sinaloa cartel against factions tied to Ismael Zambada, the co-founder of the group who is also awaiting trial in the United States.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Barea is now one of the top assistants on Denver’s staff, collaborating with Adelman on the offense.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The guests will be in France for the Cannes Film Festival, so there will probably be a lot of A-list actors, filmmakers, and assistants trying to make movie magic happen.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, welcome practical discussions with partners, spouses and friends about making future plans.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The city is also working with schools, community partners and a social media campaign to inform children and their parents, a city spokesperson said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Reporters, editors and guests of the many publications in attendance filed in, searching for their tables, yapping with old – or possibly new – friends and lining up to get a photo in front of the main table.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But do those connections turn into friends?—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rooms The island sleeps ten (exclusive buyouts are very much an option), with three bedrooms in the main house and one in the two-story boat house by the jetty.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That has created a huge opening for new media like the Meidas Touch or Aaron Parnas, who apparently never sleeps.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That means these two are great companions before or after the height of summer's heat.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most importantly, Charnoz and his colleagues’ results clustered into three mineralogical families that closely resemble the composition of the three main chondrite types.—
Javier Barbuzano,
Scientific American,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Fernandez said the broad support for his proposal among his commission colleagues runs counter to public narratives about tow companies wielding undue influence in Miami Beach.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mates. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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