Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for matchup. Search instead for matchups.
Definitions

matchup

NOUN
competition
Synonyms
STRONGEST
championship clash event fight game match meeting race rivalry sport struggle tournament trial
STRONG
antagonism bout candidacy contention controversy counteraction emulation encounter engagement jungle opposition puzzle quiz racing run strife striving tilt tug-of-war warfare
WEAK
athletic event concours do-or-die dog-eat-dog go for it go for the gold horse race one-on-one one-upping pairing off rat race
Antonyms
STRONGEST
peace
STRONG
accord agreement harmony surrender sympathy
NOUN
rivalry
Synonyms
STRONGEST
antagonism clash conflict contest duel encounter event fight jealousy race strife struggle tug-of-war
STRONG
bout candidacy emulation engagement game match opposition sport tournament
WEAK
athletic event one-on-one
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accord agreement calm harmony peace

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In “Lakers far from finished, but this matchup sure is,” Bill Plaschke writes, “Houston is done” three times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

The Lakers did enough at the end of the regular season to secure the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage in its first-round matchup with the Rockets.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

In a national semifinal matchup against fellow No. 1 seed Arizona, a game predicted to be the showdown of the tournament, they walloped the Wildcats by 18.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

There is little dispute that the U.S. is winning the head-to-head matchup between the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Across from me, Roshan is the only one who looks solemn at the matchup announcement.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu