checkmate

/ˈt͡ʃɛkmeɪt/

noun

  1. 1

    The conclusive victory in a game of chess that occurs when an opponent's king is threatened with unavoidable capture.

  2. 2

    (by extension) Any losing situation with no escape; utter defeat.

verb

  1. 1

    To put the king of an opponent into checkmate.

    “That jerk checkmated me in four moves!”
  2. 2

    (by extension) To place in a losing situation that has no escape.

interjection

  1. 1

    Word called out by the victor when making a move that wins the game.

  2. 2

    (by extension) Said when one has checkmated someone (placed them in a losing situation with no escape.)

Synonyms

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