1
as in tournaments
a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize
a chess match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in marriages
a union representing a special kind of social and legal partnership between two people
from all appearances those two have got a good match there
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in halves
either of a pair matched in one or more qualities
I can't find the match to this sock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in equivalents
one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value
for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pictures
something or someone that strongly resembles another
Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complements
to be the exact counterpart of
does this handbag's shade of blue match my navy blue pants? the rare blood type that exactly matched that of the transplant recipient
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
3
as in meets
to produce something equal to (as in quality or value)
no one has ever been able to match that novel for its portrayal of the horrors of war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples 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 matches
Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Among the players ahead of him on this list, only #23 Carl Yastrzemski matches that total.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
The two cooks' successes and failures are great fun to watch, particularly the series of scenes in which Child, having just enrolled in a cooking program, practices cutting hundreds of onions, the slices forming a pile that matches her own impressive height.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
The power and flexibility of handsets such as Google's Pixel 8a and Samsung’s Galaxy A55 deliver an experience that, for many consumers, matches their needs so tightly there’s no need to look at more expensive handsets.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Somehow, once the AI parses the input prompt, a video is to be generated that matches what the user has inside their mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Police found Mangione in possession of a fake New Jersey ID that matches the one used by the suspect to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan 10 days before the shooting.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
The Galaxy have a staggering +12 playoff goal differential, which matches what the 2001 San Jose Earthquakes posted in the run to their first MLS Cup title, a journey that remains arguably the gold standard for postseason dominance.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
In the end, the researchers were able to use the vast web of Android phones to map out the ionosphere with a level of accuracy that matches monitoring stations.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Those three assists give Crosby 1,033 for his career, which matches Mario Lemieux for the most assists in franchise history.
—Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Among the players ahead of him on this list, only #23 Carl Yastrzemski matches that total.
—Tony Blengino, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
The two cooks' successes and failures are great fun to watch, particularly the series of scenes in which Child, having just enrolled in a cooking program, practices cutting hundreds of onions, the slices forming a pile that matches her own impressive height.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
The power and flexibility of handsets such as Google's Pixel 8a and Samsung’s Galaxy A55 deliver an experience that, for many consumers, matches their needs so tightly there’s no need to look at more expensive handsets.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Somehow, once the AI parses the input prompt, a video is to be generated that matches what the user has inside their mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Police found Mangione in possession of a fake New Jersey ID that matches the one used by the suspect to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan 10 days before the shooting.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
The Galaxy have a staggering +12 playoff goal differential, which matches what the 2001 San Jose Earthquakes posted in the run to their first MLS Cup title, a journey that remains arguably the gold standard for postseason dominance.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
In the end, the researchers were able to use the vast web of Android phones to map out the ionosphere with a level of accuracy that matches monitoring stations.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matches
Noun
-
After a memorable 2024, 2025 promises to be a year of more historic firsts and blockbuster tournaments in the world of women’s soccer.—
Neel Shelat,
Forbes,
1 Jan. 2025
-
The separate East and West Division tournaments have games at home sites Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.—
Buddy Collings,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Sooners' 2024 season has been a tale of two halves.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Divided by the majestic Danube River, Budapest is a city of two halves, each with its own distinct character.—
Forbes Travel Guide,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Following a division in season guarantees drama and the playoffs, and the AFC North — with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns — showcases bitter rivalries that make for good TV.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Of course, some people thrive on rivalries with others—think Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, or Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
For grounding and emotional stability Smoky quartz is a grounding powerhouse that perfectly complements Capricorn’s earthy nature, offering equal amounts of protection and emotional stability.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The exhibition complements the 12,000 volumes inside the Johnson Publishing Company Library, also housed at Stony Island Arts Bank.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Enter the dash 3, an electric mobility scooter that seamlessly marries form and function.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Using color and music to tell that story — celebrating Black culture — the collection marries Black Radiance’s beauty know-how for darker skin tones with Cross Colours’ familiar palette of red, yellow, black and green, as well as its connection to ’80s and ’90s hip-hop.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
WWD,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
From that will come new relationships and possibly new friendships.—
Jeanne Phillips,
The Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Some genes might show two species as sisters to each other, while another gene with a different evolutionary path might show a different set of relationships.—
Andre A. Naranjo,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Like some of its counterparts, Nosferatu doesn’t say anything precise about the disturbing possibilities that await America in 2025.—
Eric Kohn,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Slack Workforce Lab reports that men between 18 to 29 are 25% more likely to have experimented with artificial intelligence technology than their female counterparts.—
Jeanne Meister,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The wave pattern of this one compliments the fairytale-like demeanor of the rest of the home and, of course, parallels the rustic nature of this cottage kitchen.—
Camille Freestone,
Architectural Digest,
17 Oct. 2024
-
The fall hiring season typically parallels the busy recruitment cycle of January and February, which are peak months for interviews as staff return from vacations, according to Indeed.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
4 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near matches
Cite this Entry
“Matches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matches. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share