1. a position in chess where a player’s king is attacked and cannot escape capture, ending the game
Usage: chess terminology
2. a situation in which someone is completely defeated or has no way to succeed
Usage: figurative use

1. to put an opponent’s king in checkmate in chess
Usage: chess terminology
2. to defeat someone completely or put them in a hopeless position
Usage: figurative use

1. used to announce checkmate in chess
Usage: chess terminology

Examples

• The game ended in checkmate after only twelve moves.
• She achieved checkmate by moving her queen to the back rank.
• The negotiations reached a checkmate with neither side willing to compromise.
• He checkmated his opponent with a brilliant combination of moves.
• The detective’s evidence checkmated the suspect’s alibi.
• The CEO was checkmated by the board’s unanimous vote of no confidence.
• After capturing the rook, she called out ‘Checkmate!’
• The political scandal put the candidate in checkmate before the election.