as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
finally checkmated the billionaire in his attempt to take over the movie studio
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deterrence
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of checkmate
Ayah Imran, Freep.com, 17 July 2025
Del Norte High’s chess team members have increasingly declared checkmate against their opponents, with the team capturing a third-place regional tournament award just four years after it was formed.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025
And then in the third round of chess – checkmate.
—Heather Abbott, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Verb
Losing a game of chess is never fun; however, setting aflame a custom wax king piece when checkmated is losing with style.
—Ayah Imran, Freep.com, 17 July 2025
Del Norte High’s chess team members have increasingly declared checkmate against their opponents, with the team capturing a third-place regional tournament award just four years after it was formed.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
Simmons, a sophomore from Duncanville just south of Dallas, has certainly racked up his share of checkmates over the past two seasons with 20 total sacks.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Dec. 2025
And then in the third round of chess – checkmate.
—Heather Abbott, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
Verb
-
The letter was about a 50-year-old who was frustrated that a 70-year-old friend didn’t pick up the phone when called.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Bianco grew visibly frustrated several times over the debate’s format and his opponents’ answers.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If consequences are optional, deterrence is imaginary.—
Darlene Mealy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The proposal also would expand research into nonlethal deterrence methods.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frey unleashed his five-pitch arsenal, thwarting the Spartans most of the way.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Russia’s defense ministry said its paramilitary forces helped thwart a coup.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The thwarting of the Charlotte Hornets, one of the NBA’s fastest squads, is the quintessential White play.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The council keeps losing court battles on issues ranging from its Voter ID law to its efforts to censor library books to its thwarting of state housing laws.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Captain Sidney Crosby was similarly baffled.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The hosts are baffled and intrigued.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By integrating detection, deception, and neutralization into a single ecosystem—and leveraging the power of autonomy—Ultra Maritime is redefining how naval forces defend themselves beneath the waves.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
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The team admits that in a future closed-loop device, this would require a neutralization step—a reaction that eliminates the acidity after the heat is released.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this month, Michigan defeated UConn in the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In large part because the only feeling more satisfying than defeating your enemies is that of defeating your friends.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That said, the good outweighs the baffling.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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