stakes 1 of 2

Definition of stakesnext
plural of stake
1
as in interests
a legal right to participation in the advantages, profits, and responsibility of something if I invest in your business, I expect a stake in it in return

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in bets
the money or thing risked on the outcome of an uncertain event lost his entire stake with a single roll of the dice

Synonyms & Similar Words

stakes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stake

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 stakes
Noun
In the midst of a high-stakes encounter, an officer may not have time to process his thoughts, according to Robinette. Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026 Yet the promise felt realest only in smaller tools with clearer stakes—especially the ones built for people who are blind or have limited vision. Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 9 Jan. 2026 Nambiar directs from a script by Abhishek Bandekar that speaks to contemporary youth culture, merging the world of digital content creation with primal survival stakes. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026 With a high-stakes battle for the 2026 midterms looming, the Evergreen State appears poised to join the trend of states using congressional redistricting for partisan advantage. Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026 In June 2025, Peacock revealed the latest slate of celebrities set to battle it out in a high-stakes game of lies, alliances and betrayal inside a castle in the Scottish Highlands — all for a chance to win up to $250,000. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 Looking through Cavanaugh’s telescope, there are major tests and high-stakes games coming up. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026 The New York firm has taken stakes in more than 50 companies. Luisa Beltran, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Kira has experienced this trust crisis firsthand, living in countries where information conflict carries high stakes. William Jones, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
San Miguel Chapel Located along the Old Santa Fe Trail in the Barrio de Analco Historic District, this Spanish colonial mission church stakes its claim as the oldest in the United States. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026 The Scout, originally produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980, stakes its claim as the world’s first utility vehicle. Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026 Gliding gracefully through the mix of styles and languages — from Mandarin and Arabic to German and her native Spanish — Rosalia further stakes her claim as one of most fascinating voices in music today. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025 With assists from Jeff Parker, Meg Duffy, and others, the versatile drummer’s latest album stakes its claim at the shifting border between jazz and electronic music. Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 20 Dec. 2025 In terms of food, true to its name, Prime 47 stakes its reputation on prime cuts, including a $147 24-ounce tomahawk ribeye (more frugal diners might opt for the $74 Delmonico ribeye). Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025 There’s an indulgent satisfaction to these films, most notably on display in this new trailer when Gellar literally stakes Weaving in the heart (or … the shoulder, most likely), that prevents them for tipping into a haughty self-seriousness. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025 Every great novel stakes an implicit claim about what a novel can and should do. New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025 Ottawa — ‘#WANTITALL’ is an unlikely hashtag for a country that stakes its brand on being humble and nice. Paula Newton, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stakes
Noun
  • How can consumers be sure that Haven will put its own members’ interests first, instead of prioritizing Aven’s business?
    Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • If done right, this would ease housing costs while serving nearly everyone’s interests.
    Fred P. Hochberg, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • While short-term bets such as Kane and van Riemsdyk can pay dividends to fill specific needs, getting par value out of a longer-term deal is exceedingly rare.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The Buckeyes and Bulldogs remain good bets year in and year out.
    Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the fraud committed through the sober houses, Cleggett, through his insulation businesses, received millions of dollars from the Mass Save Program (a public/private partnership that funds energy efficient projects).
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The state primarily funds public schools based on average daily attendance.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The driver then puts vehicle in drive, dragging officer about 100 yards with his arm inside the car.
    Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Tonga has missed the past three games, which puts his availability for Sunday’s Wild Card showdown with the Chargers in significant doubt.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • White shares daughter Dream Kardashian, 9, with Rob Kardashian, and son King Cairo Stevenson, 13, with Tyga.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
  • An expert shares must-know precautions.
    Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Pokorny said the leagues could work in collaboration to have a single inspector general monitoring for suspicious wagers, patterns or actions.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Often times these multi-race wagers will see bettors pooling their money and splitting the winnings as the ticket price can become quite costly, even at 20-cents.
    Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Gisela Sánchez Maroto In 2023, Gisela Sánchez Maroto became the first woman to lead the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, an $18 billion (assets) multilateral development bank that finances infrastructure, energy, health and education projects across Central America and the Caribbean.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The tax money supports the district’s operating fund, which finances bus transportation, utility bills, repairs and maintenance.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stakes. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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