matchup

noun

ˈmach-ˌəp How to pronounce matchup (audio)
Definition of matchupnext
as in tournament
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 matchup Trump had been set to visit Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa when Alabama hosts Georgia in a Top 10 matchup, following an afternoon rally in Tennessee. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 This matchup also continues the trend of facing potential NFL draft picks at quarterback, as the Knights prepare to go against OSU’s Drew Mestemaker. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Swept in a best-of-five postseason matchup for the first time since the 1980 ALCS against Kansas City, the Yankees ended their 17th straight season without a World Series crown. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Game 4 is Thursday in Chicago, with the White Sox leading 2-1 in the best-of-five matchup. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for matchup
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchup
  1. tournament
  2. game
  3. competition
  4. event
  5. match
Noun
  • Indian cricketers have avoided handshakes with Pakistan players, and have refused to accept the trophy and medals from a Pakistani official at more than one tournament.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 manga laid the groundwork for some of the genre's most enduring tropes (gender switching, horny old guys, tournaments), and this is the second anime adaptation, this time from Studio MAPPA.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of tournament
Noun
  • As the day winds down, get cozy in the living room for a game of cards and a glass of South African wine, or watch the sun set from the stone terrace.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Even Jeff, post-premiere, has been a delight, just kind of letting the game play out and not foisting metaphors upon us at Tribal Council.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of game
Noun
  • Decisions about industrial policy, infrastructure, public spending, and competition increasingly have to account not only for emissions but climate risk.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • But could Cruise use his movie star promotion power to get himself into the best-actor Oscar competition, despite the film suffering from tepid reviews and a possibly paltry box office?
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • Forty years later, adult Calvin (Josh Hartnett) is still haunted by the event.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Each of the six main suspects get their chance to give their version of events on the day of Jodie’s death, effectively supplying their own alibis.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of event
Noun
  • While the championship match was the main event, Saturday’s semifinal had a ton of intrigue for Southland girls volleyball fans.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Isom obtained an arrest warrant based on the DNA match and additional evidence linking Ross to Davis and the scene.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of match

Browse Nearby Words

matchlocks
matchup
matchups
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All