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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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
  1. frustrating
  2. thwarting
  3. hampering
  4. baffling
  5. defeating
  6. preventing
  7. stopping
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
  • Blashill brushed off the notion of his lineups thwarting team flow on Wednesday.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There is no reasonable way to put in restrictions to prevent the use of tools to build bioweapons without thwarting progress in the next generation of therapies.
    — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of thwarting
Verb
  • Front-line workers have gone on strike several times since the outbreak began, further hampering efforts to contain the disease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Royals finished 22nd in runs scored, with injuries hampering much of the 2026 campaign.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • Their admirable determination makes Diamantis’ flight from the United States baffling for us and humiliating for them.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The sequel, on the other hand, is shaped by baffling decisions from director Susanne Bier and cinematographer Simon Duggan that render the film antiseptic.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of baffling
Verb
  • The Carolina Panthers enter their bye week with a lot of confidence after defeating the Detroit Lions at home on the Sunday Night Football stage.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In this and subsequent Narnia books, Aslan leads his young followers in combating and defeating evil.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeating
Verb
  • Two weeks into fighting, the unforgiving mountainous terrain, heavy Saudi and government air power, and a reenergized anti-Houthi coalition have kept the Houthi advance in check, preventing a collapse on the level of that in mid-September.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • True North forced a fumble on Norland’s first offensive possession, immediately preventing the Vikings from answering.
    — D’Joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of preventing
Verb
  • Executive chef Gil Dumoulin often makes the rounds in the dining room, stopping to discuss the food with guests, which is a nice touch.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This is not an argument for fear or for stopping useful innovation.
    — Babajide Ojuola, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of stopping

Browse Nearby Words

checkmates
checkmating
check (off)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Checkmating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/checkmating. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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