1
as in tournaments
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a chess match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in marriages
a union representing a special kind of social and legal partnership between two people
from all appearances those two have got a good match there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in halves
either of a pair matched in one or more qualities
I can't find the match to this sock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in equivalents
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value
for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pictures
something or someone that strongly resembles another
Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complements
to be the exact counterpart of
does this handbag's shade of blue match my navy blue pants? the rare blood type that exactly matched that of the transplant recipient
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in meets
to produce something equal to (as in quality or value)
no one has ever been able to match that novel for its portrayal of the horrors of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of matches
Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Eight matches will be played at MetLife Stadium, which is being referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
For most homeowners, the roof replacement process still means calling around for estimates, waiting days for an in-person inspection, and hoping the final roof replacement cost matches what was promised.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
And its matches total state dollars spent at the time on Medicaid, Goodman noted.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that Mexico has a security plan in place for the soccer matches, despite continued outbreaks of violence in the country.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026
To maintain the integrity of the game, the matches were closely watched by referees who halted them because of poor timing or form.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
That matches statistical data on trust in medical researchers and scientists in general and is in line with past measures of trust in scientists.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the rest of this family-friendly murder mystery never matches that level of wit.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
In other National Women's Soccer League matches Saturday, Gotham FC dominated visiting Bay FC 3-0, North Carolina won 1-0 at Houston, and host Chicago beat Boston 2-0.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Choose a stylish cabinet that matches your specific decor style and fits the space available.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Since no other atom matches the exact laser frequency used, false signals simply don’t enter the measurement.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Every Cava restaurant accepts donations to support a local cause and matches them with donations of up to $1,000.
—Connie Ogle
april 25, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The winning streak matches their longest in a single season since June 2024.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
Pau Cubarsi was back to his best, as was Pedri, who appeared to have lost some of his characteristic spark in recent matches following his return from a hamstring injury.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Eight matches will be played at MetLife Stadium, which is being referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
For most homeowners, the roof replacement process still means calling around for estimates, waiting days for an in-person inspection, and hoping the final roof replacement cost matches what was promised.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
And its matches total state dollars spent at the time on Medicaid, Goodman noted.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that Mexico has a security plan in place for the soccer matches, despite continued outbreaks of violence in the country.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026
To maintain the integrity of the game, the matches were closely watched by referees who halted them because of poor timing or form.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Its 28-game start matches the expansion 1962 Mets — who lost 120 games — along with 1964 and 1983 for the second-worst in team history behind an 8-20 opening in 1981.
—Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
That matches statistical data on trust in medical researchers and scientists in general and is in line with past measures of trust in scientists.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the rest of this family-friendly murder mystery never matches that level of wit.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
In other National Women's Soccer League matches Saturday, Gotham FC dominated visiting Bay FC 3-0, North Carolina won 1-0 at Houston, and host Chicago beat Boston 2-0.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Choose a stylish cabinet that matches your specific decor style and fits the space available.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
Since no other atom matches the exact laser frequency used, false signals simply don’t enter the measurement.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Every Cava restaurant accepts donations to support a local cause and matches them with donations of up to $1,000.
—Connie Ogle
april 25, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The winning streak matches their longest in a single season since June 2024.
—CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matches
Noun
-
Alright, so not a hot start for the McLaren clubs, but hey, this is why people don't normally switch up their equipment before big tournaments.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
This adidas competitive circuit, which draws teams from all over the country, includes three regional tournaments where teams must collect points to qualify for the culminating championship.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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
-
Bose pros Bose products are known for their rich sound, and although Bose is a top audio equipment brand, many of them are more affordable than Sonos equivalents.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, the marks are essentially phonetic equivalents and, thus, sound similar.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Participants will board a 4-wheel-drive for a bumpy 13-mile tour with frequent stops for pictures, sketches and questions.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The following slide proved that the bribe worked, as Emma adorably smiled in her school pictures, and the results were perfection.—
Georgia Slater,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And with spring soirée season in full swing, The Row’s sleek style complements Kallmeyer’s floral strapless dress to perfection.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Seed Studio Landscape Design added a redwood privacy fence around the periphery of this Northern California property that echoes trees in the backyard and complements this dark gray midcentury modern home.—
Kristin Hohenadel,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Here, the group marries jazz-kid experimentalism with taut punk, sprawling worldbuilding, and social commentary.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
This recipe marries three Southern favorites—bourbon, tea, and lemonade.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Effortless durability meets elevated style in these pieces that take constant upkeep out of the equation.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rooms California-cool meets Big Bear coziness here, with light, airy rooms warmed up by charming blue plaid chairs, thick wooden furniture, and floral wallpapers in various coastal shades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matches. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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