as in tournaments
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
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Recent Examples of matchups
That means two matchups against the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.
—
Matt Schooley, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Olympic matchups were expected to bring the same intensity in Italy, though the gloves may very well stay on.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Here are the Saturday matchups with Orlando area teams.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Right guard Anthony Bradford is the Seahawks lineman the Patriots should target with 1-on-1 matchups against Barmore and Williams.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
In Inoue’s first season as head coach at UCI in 2016-17, the Gauchos won both matchups, but the Anteaters began to turn the tables the following season, splitting their conference games and then taking two of three meetings in 2018-19.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
But with Strong shouldering more responsibility this season as the Huskies’ centerpiece at both ends of the floor, Auriemma knows there are matchups ahead where the team will need a bigger presence in the post.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
The top four teams return later Monday for the simultaneous semifinal matchups.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Freeman could play right field for Moniak against left-handers, or Castro could spell Moniak or Beck due to pitching matchups due to Castro’s switch-hitting capabilities.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Matt Schooley, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Olympic matchups were expected to bring the same intensity in Italy, though the gloves may very well stay on.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Here are the Saturday matchups with Orlando area teams.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Right guard Anthony Bradford is the Seahawks lineman the Patriots should target with 1-on-1 matchups against Barmore and Williams.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
In Inoue’s first season as head coach at UCI in 2016-17, the Gauchos won both matchups, but the Anteaters began to turn the tables the following season, splitting their conference games and then taking two of three meetings in 2018-19.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
But with Strong shouldering more responsibility this season as the Huskies’ centerpiece at both ends of the floor, Auriemma knows there are matchups ahead where the team will need a bigger presence in the post.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
The top four teams return later Monday for the simultaneous semifinal matchups.
—Zack Pierce, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Freeman could play right field for Moniak against left-handers, or Castro could spell Moniak or Beck due to pitching matchups due to Castro’s switch-hitting capabilities.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for matchups
Noun
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High school culinary classes and a first job at Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen propelled her into a gig at Muirfield Village Golf Club, working tournaments.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
That doesn’t include tournaments, and the costs associated with travel.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Her prowess in goal has O'Connor in strong position for a playoff spot in third place in District 28-6A entering Friday's games, with a shot to challenge for the district title.—
Jeffrey Perkins,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Attending Globetrotters games in Philadelphia with his father and brothers every year helped Artis fall in love with basketball.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And then just to finish the question, step three is then to expand and really build out the brand from there and build other kinds of businesses around it, like events, businesses, and so on.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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Both companies have grown exponentially since then, offering the opportunity to bet on events far beyond the original scope of the academic experiment.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The area, with an altitude of nearly 6,000 feet, plays host to all freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions and has three hotels that were transformed into an Olympic village.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
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The most obvious competitions look to be for the final roster spots in the bullpen and the outfield.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Venus Williams, the 45-year-old, seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, appears determined to keep trying to win tennis matches at an age when most players have long retired.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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In the doubles tournament at Flushing Meadows, Venus and Leylah Fernandez won two matches before losing in quarterfinals.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Matchups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/matchups. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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