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Definition of deathmatch

deathmatch

/ˈdɛθˌmætʃ/
death · match
Plural:deathmatches
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deathmatch Lexical Profile

deathmatch Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A mode of gameplay in a multiplayer video game in which the primary objective is to eliminate as many opposing players' characters as possible within a set time or score limit.

Example

"The tournament organizers scheduled a ten-minute team deathmatch for the final round of the esports championship."

2

A style of professional wrestling match featuring extreme rules and dangerous props, or figuratively any fierce, uncompromising competition between rivals.

Example

"The heated debate between the two leading candidates quickly turned into a political deathmatch on live television."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for deathmatch

• Nearby Words

deathless
deathlike
deathly
deathmatch
deathtrap
deathwish
deb

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1993 by video game designer John Romero during the development of the pioneering first-person shooter game Doom, combining 'death' and 'match'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deathmatch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deathmatch
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