CHECKMATING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

checkmating

verb

present participle of checkmate

as in frustrating

to prevent from achieving a goal finally checkmated the billionaire in his attempt to take over the movie studio

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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 checkmating In the event’s final game, Nakamura caught headlines by theatrically throwing reigning Classical world champion Gukesh Dommaraju’s king into the crowd after checkmating him. — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for checkmating

Verb

But Algo’s hyper-logical, computerised process of consistently picking the favourites to win was undone in the second match of the day, with Ghana frustrating England in a 0-0 draw.

— The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 24 June 2026
The documentary’s contradiction is right there, enthralling us with the wild achievements Potter pulled off and frustrating us with his bombast, leading us to ponder whether, as The Dark Wizard suggests, either could exist without the other.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

Oregon is one of the only states in the country with a carve-out in its public records law that prevents disclosing the financial details of subsidized housing projects, thwarting researchers and journalists who have tried to examine their costs.

— Rob Davis, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2026
Ed Yardeni isn’t worried about the sharp rise in sovereign bond yields thwarting stocks.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of thwarting

Verb

Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths.

— Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Rescuers will use an extrication device and a helicopter, Fathur said, adding that there were no reports of people missing and no challenges hampering the search.

— Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of hampering

Verb

Despite some protests about a dog contributing to the game, Buddy — clad in a bright blue jersey and two pairs of basketball kicks — scores baffling basket after baffling basket, leaving the other team shocked.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026

Definition of baffling

Verb

DeSoto won the Class 6A Division II state championship last season, defeating Southlake Carroll in the state semifinals.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026
Boise State started the season 1-1, losing 42-21 to Central Michigan before defeating Portland State 33-22 in a pair of nonconference games.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeating

Verb

The ability to monitor and identify unwanted behavior by AI agents in real-time or near real-time is critical to preventing another breach like this—perhaps one with even more serious consequences, such as an attack on a bank or hospital.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Leaving the coil uninsulated allows heat and excess current to bypass hot spots, preventing damage and keeping the system stable.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of preventing

Verb

Dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors handle stopping duties, an important part of controlling a large fat-tire e-bike in traffic or on a downhill section.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
The Chiefs focused their defense on stopping Barkley, and, while he was limited to 57 rushing yards on 25 carries, that opened up things for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who completed 17 of 22 passes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of stopping

Browse Nearby Words

checkmates

checkmating

check (off)

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“Checkmating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmating. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of checkmating

verb

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