as in tournaments
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a boxing matchup that promises to be a sportswriter's dream
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Recent Examples of matchups
All four games of this season’s head-to-head series required extra time, including three shootouts, with the Charge winning three of the four matchups against the Fleet.
—
Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
One injury can change matchups, late-game options and the way a series feels.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The Knicks had adjusted their matchups, putting Josh Hart on McCollum, which had left the Hawks’ offense sputtering.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—Associated Pess, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
So while the matchups were a factor in the game, their impact was lessened by all the penalties.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia has won four of its seven playoff series against Pittsburgh, winning the matchups in 1989, 1997, 2000, and 2012.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Peterson tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and the pitching matchups were favorable from there.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2026
One injury can change matchups, late-game options and the way a series feels.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
The Knicks had adjusted their matchups, putting Josh Hart on McCollum, which had left the Hawks’ offense sputtering.
—Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—Associated Pess, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
So while the matchups were a factor in the game, their impact was lessened by all the penalties.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Orlando City was 2-0-1 in its three most recent matchups with DC United with a 10-2 edge in goals.
—ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Philadelphia has won four of its seven playoff series against Pittsburgh, winning the matchups in 1989, 1997, 2000, and 2012.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Peterson tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and the pitching matchups were favorable from there.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchups
Noun
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A lot of these fishing tournaments are won by these younger anglers that really haven’t studied the body of water, don’t know it like the older fishermen, but are still extremely successful with the new technology.—
Mike McFeely,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
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One name to watch for future state tournaments is Clara Barnhart.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, allowed two goals in the first period and never fully recovered in a 5-1 loss to the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday, as San Jose was swept in the best-of-three first-round series two games to none at Lee’s Family Forum.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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This will be one of a record nine international games scheduled for the 2026 season, which will take place across four continents in seven countries.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The residences were born out of necessity but have become cherished events for the thousands in the band’s cult.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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But Barnes noted that timing such events is difficult.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Might the physical toil of the other competitions play a part in the final destination of the league title?—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Once the films are finished, one filmmaker will be chosen to receive an additional $10,000 grant and invited to join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of emerging filmmakers who have won AGBO fellowships or competitions.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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