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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of checkmate
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
Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 10 May 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
See All Example Sentences for checkmate
Verb
That would effectively checkmate any effort to investigate, much less prosecute, anyone protected by the amnesty grant.
—Noun
In the second, Eze again ceded the advantage, but ruthlessly capitalised on a costly blunder with a rapid-fire checkmate to seal the win and the tournament.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmate
Verb
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Many shoppers have grown frustrated with rising luxury prices and perceived declines in quality, while others increasingly buy directly from brands rather than through department stores.—
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That plan, which surely won’t excite a fanbase already frustrated with a quiet offseason, would also have to come with a right-handed platoon bat, as Domínguez is a switch-hitter who is better from the left side.—
Noun
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Continue reading … POWER PLAY — US raid in Venezuela signals deterrence to adversaries, experts say.—
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When California signals that even the most extreme acts of school violence may eventually be reconsidered and reduced, deterrence erodes — and schools become collateral damage in the process.—
Verb
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Initial attempts to conduct a drone search were thwarted by the windstorm, and the ground operation was called off before nightfall, the agency said.—
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When his initial move is thwarted, Mesidor never stops battling.—
Verb
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
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Experts on childhood disease were baffled by the change in guidance.—
Noun
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Engineers also need to understand that environmental responsibility is just as important as neutralization.—
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The state controlled all aspects of people’s public and private lives leading to the near complete neutralization of the individual.—
Verb
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The last meeting happened in the NFC championship game in the 2022 season, where the Eagles defeated the Niners 31-7 before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.—
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The Mean Green's best football season ever wasn't even over before the major figures from that team left, or announced their intentions to bounce ASAP; when the season did end, moments after North Texas defeated San Diego State to win the New Mexico Bowl, is when the great Denton flood began.—
Noun
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That said, the good outweighs the baffling.—
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
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Archival added that rescue efforts had been hampered by the fact that any sparks created by digging machinery could ignite methane gas emitted by the landfill, per the outlet.—
Cite this Entry
“Checkmate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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