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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in deterrence
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 checkmate
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
The scene sees Martin's character, named George, put Redford's in checkmate with some help from series star Zahn McClarnon, who portrays Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn on the series.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
Brown checkmates most defensive backs and should still post big numbers if Philly’s offense runs smoothly.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Verb
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
The scene sees Martin's character, named George, put Redford's in checkmate with some help from series star Zahn McClarnon, who portrays Navajo tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn on the series.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
That would effectively checkmate any effort to investigate, much less prosecute, anyone protected by the amnesty grant.
—Pierce O'Donnell, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024
Brown checkmates most defensive backs and should still post big numbers if Philly’s offense runs smoothly.
—Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 26 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
Verb
-
Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
-
Others are frustrated by the sheer volume of low-effort AI content flooding their feeds.—
Zach Vallese,
CNBC,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Then, in 2018 and 2019, when caravans of asylum seekers, who were primarily from Central America, were met with cruel deterrence tactics like the Remain in Mexico policy.—
Liliana Reza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
-
The deterrence equation has changed, as has Israel's room for strategic maneuvering.—
Tim Ryan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Russia's ambitions to produce more military aircraft are being thwarted by a shortage of components caused by sanctions and a growing labor shortage, it has been reported.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
-
To prevent the raid from being thwarted, the military and police shut down access within a 15-block radius so no one could enter or leave the site.—
Ana María Cañizares,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
And Value Chains: Companies reducing costs and emissions can gain market share, providing financial support for carbon neutralization.—
Morten Johansen,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
The very resources that had not been brought to bear on Hamas, thus enabling the disaster of October 7, achieved the neutralization of Hezbollah within weeks.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The Italian became the first man or woman from her country to defeat a top-3 seed at Wimbledon since the Open Era began in 1968.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Had Vintage Brand defeated Penn State in the trial, schools and teams may have encountered more difficulty in using trademark law to protect their logos and other marks.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
The nullification of his diploma disqualifies Imamoglu from running for president, and the terrorism charge removes him from the mayor’s office.—
Gonul Tol,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Forgetting is a step toward nullification.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share