overmatch
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈoʊvərˌmætʃ/
KK: /ˈoʊvərˌmætʃ/
noun
Definition
A competition where one competitor is clearly better than the other.
Example
In the championship game, the team faced an overmatch and struggled to keep up.
Conversation
Did you see the game last night?
Yeah, it was pretty one-sided; the overmatch was obvious.
I know! I felt bad for the losing team.
Same here, they didn't stand a chance against those players.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
victory
triumph
domination
Antonyms
defeat
loss
failure
transitive verb
Definition
To defeat someone or something by being stronger, better, or more skilled.
Example
The champion was able to overmatch all of his opponents in the tournament.
Tense Forms
Past: overmatched
Past Participle: overmatched
Conversation
Did you see that game last night?
Yeah, the winning team really overmatched their opponents!
I thought it would be a closer match, but they were just too strong.
Root Explanation
Overmatch → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively or beyond) and "match" (from Old English "macian", meaning to make or to fit). The word "overmatch" means to exceed or surpass in a contest or competition, indicating a situation where one side is significantly stronger or more capable than the other.
Memory Tip
Think of being 'beyond' ('over-') what is 'matched' — this helps you remember that 'overmatch' means to surpass or exceed in a competition.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.