checkmate

1 of 2

verb

check·mate ˈchek-ˌmāt How to pronounce checkmate (audio)

checkmated; checkmating; checkmates

transitive verb

: to arrest, thwart, or counter completely

: to check (a chess opponent's king) so that escape is impossible

checkmate

2 of 2

noun

: the act of checkmating

: the situation of a checkmated king

: a complete check

Did you know?

Figurative Checkmate and Other Chess Terms

Checkmate is one of the most recognizable words from the world of chess. It is often found both in its original sense (referring to the placing of an opponent’s king in an inescapable position) and in a figurative one (“to thwart”). But it is just one of a number of words in English that that either originated in, or gained popularity from, the game of chess before developing an extended metaphorical sense.

End game may refer to the final stages of a game of chess or to the final stage of other actions or processes. Gambit initially had the sole meaning “a chess opening in which a player voluntarily risks one or more pawns or a minor piece to gain an advantage in position” but now may also signify “a calculated move, maneuver, or device.” And pawn has developed the sense “one that can be used often to his own disadvantage to further the purposes of another” from its original designation as the least powerful piece on the chess board.

Example Sentences

Verb finally checkmated the billionaire in his attempt to take over the movie studio Noun a brilliant move that resulted in checkmate The challenger can force a checkmate with his next move.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Frye likened Lue as a coach to a chess player sacrificing a lesser piece to edge closer to checkmate.

Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2022 But Icahn saw that plan as an opening to checkmate his opponent.

Shawn Tully, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2022 And with Russia supplying some 40% of the European Union's gas imports, the Kremlin has already shown its ability to checkmate the West's harshest sanctions by limiting production and potentially triggering rolling blackouts across the continent.

Michael Bociurkiw, CNN, 21 Dec. 2021 In fact, that's the only way to win a game of quantum chess, since there is no check or checkmate possible.

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Dec. 2021 But in a category packed with word-of-mouth sensations, the addictive Queen's Gambit should simultaneously checkmate all four opponents.

David Canfield, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2021 The object of the game is to checkmate your opponent's king by surrounding him with pieces that limit his movements.

Faith Karimi, CNN, 6 Dec. 2020 Winning Florida would effectively checkmate Trump in his bid to win 270 Electoral College votes, the amount needed for another term.

Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2020 The schedule includes no Texan with a solo speaking slot, and no signs of any focus on a state where a Democratic win would amount to checkmate in the Electoral College.

Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 14 Aug. 2020

Noun

His checkmate came after months of offscreen intrigue surrounding the mid-century thriller, which reached a fever pitch over the week ahead of its debut in Venice.

Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 What is missing is the recognition that Russia has been quietly engineering an energy checkmate that will culminate in the coming winter.

Steve Cicala, Forbes, 26 May 2022 But if the Rams (14-5) don’t overcome the 49ers’ maddening mastery over them, all their big moves will end in checkmate.

Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 30 Jan. 2022 Anya Taylor-Joy Leave it to Anya Taylor-Joy to wear the fashion equivalent of a checkmate.

Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2021 Putin’s Ankara checkmate against the U.S. in Eurasia and the Middle East.

Peter Metzger, National Review, 12 June 2021 Beth Harmon makes every checkmate feel as thrilling as a final touchdown at the Super Bowl.

Vogue, 13 Nov. 2020 This is easily what put Joe Biden over the top here, the checkmate state.

NBC News, 8 Nov. 2020 Lakers coach Frank Vogel put the Heat in check, but James appreciates checkmate remains no given with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Oct. 2020 See More

单词	checkmating
释义	checkmate 1 of 2 verb check·mate ˈchek-ˌmāt checkmated; checkmating; checkmates transitive verb 1 : to arrest, thwart, or counter completely 2 : to check (a chess opponent's king) so that escape is impossible checkmate 2 of 2 noun 1 a : the act of checkmating b : the situation of a checkmated king 2 : a complete check Did you know? Figurative Checkmate and Other Chess Terms Checkmate is one of the most recognizable words from the world of chess. It is often found both in its original sense (referring to the placing of an opponent’s king in an inescapable position) and in a figurative one (“to thwart”). But it is just one of a number of words in English that that either originated in, or gained popularity from, the game of chess before developing an extended metaphorical sense. End game may refer to the final stages of a game of chess or to the final stage of other actions or processes. Gambit initially had the sole meaning “a chess opening in which a player voluntarily risks one or more pawns or a minor piece to gain an advantage in position” but now may also signify “a calculated move, maneuver, or device.” And pawn has developed the sense “one that can be used often to his own disadvantage to further the purposes of another” from its original designation as the least powerful piece on the chess board. Synonyms Verb baffle balk beat discomfit foil frustrate thwart See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb finally checkmated the billionaire in his attempt to take over the movie studio Noun a brilliant move that resulted in checkmate The challenger can force a checkmate with his next move. Recent Examples on the Web Verb Frye likened Lue as a coach to a chess player sacrificing a lesser piece to edge closer to checkmate. Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2022 But Icahn saw that plan as an opening to checkmate his opponent. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2022 And with Russia supplying some 40% of the European Union's gas imports, the Kremlin has already shown its ability to checkmate the West's harshest sanctions by limiting production and potentially triggering rolling blackouts across the continent. Michael Bociurkiw, CNN, 21 Dec. 2021 In fact, that's the only way to win a game of quantum chess, since there is no check or checkmate possible. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 Dec. 2021 But in a category packed with word-of-mouth sensations, the addictive Queen's Gambit should simultaneously checkmate all four opponents. David Canfield, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2021 The object of the game is to checkmate your opponent's king by surrounding him with pieces that limit his movements. Faith Karimi, CNN, 6 Dec. 2020 Winning Florida would effectively checkmate Trump in his bid to win 270 Electoral College votes, the amount needed for another term. Joseph Simonson, Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2020 The schedule includes no Texan with a solo speaking slot, and no signs of any focus on a state where a Democratic win would amount to checkmate in the Electoral College. Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 14 Aug. 2020 Noun His checkmate came after months of offscreen intrigue surrounding the mid-century thriller, which reached a fever pitch over the week ahead of its debut in Venice. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 What is missing is the recognition that Russia has been quietly engineering an energy checkmate that will culminate in the coming winter. Steve Cicala, Forbes, 26 May 2022 But if the Rams (14-5) don’t overcome the 49ers’ maddening mastery over them, all their big moves will end in checkmate. Mark Heim \| Mheim@al.com, al, 30 Jan. 2022 Anya Taylor-Joy Leave it to Anya Taylor-Joy to wear the fashion equivalent of a checkmate. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2021 Putin’s Ankara checkmate against the U.S. in Eurasia and the Middle East. Peter Metzger, National Review, 12 June 2021 Beth Harmon makes every checkmate feel as thrilling as a final touchdown at the Super Bowl. Vogue, 13 Nov. 2020 This is easily what put Joe Biden over the top here, the checkmate state. NBC News, 8 Nov. 2020 Lakers coach Frank Vogel put the Heat in check, but James appreciates checkmate remains no given with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Oct. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Verb Middle English chekmaten, from chekmate, interjection used to announce checkmate, from Anglo-French eschec mat, from Arabic shāh māt, from Persian, literally, the king is left unable to escape First Known Use Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Kids Definition checkmate noun check·mate ˈchek-ˌmāt : a situation in chess in which a player loses because the player's king is in a position from which it cannot escape capture checkmating verb present participle of checkmate as in thwarting to prevent from achieving a goal finally checkmated the billionaire in his attempt to take over the movie studio Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance thwarting frustrating defeating hampering baffling preventing foiling stopping beating impeding overcoming hindering blocking halting balking stalling discomfiting obstructing neutralizing forestalling inhibiting handicapping checking arresting fettering conquering nullifying counteracting shackling clogging barring encumbering averting precluding negating obviating hobbling trammelling holding back offsetting tying up trammeling short-circuiting setting back manacling interfering (with) tieing up Antonyms & Near Antonyms advancing promoting assisting encouraging aiding furthering fostering forwarding cultivating facilitating abetting nurturing easing smoothing See More
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checkmate

verb

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

verb