rematch

American  

[ree-mach, ree-mach, ree-mach] / riˈmætʃ, ˈriˌmætʃ, ˈriˌmætʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to match again; duplicate.

   an attempt to rematch a shade of green paint.

2. to schedule a second match for or between.

   to rematch the winners in each soccer league.

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noun

• rematches
  plural

1. a second match between teams, challengers, etc.; return match.

rematch British  

noun

1. sport a second or return match between contestants

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verb

1. (tr) to match (two contestants) again

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• rematches
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of rematch

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + match ²

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Explanation

After a tie or an unsatisfactory result in a game or competition, people might call for a rematch to play again and settle the score. A rematch is a second game or competition between opponents who competed against each other before. Rematches are common in sports and in competitive games like chess, especially when the first outcome was close or controversial. For example, if a chess game ends in a draw — in which neither player wins — the players might agree to a rematch to determine a winner. Rematches add excitement and anticipation as competitors get another chance to prove themselves against a challenging opponent.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rematch rematches

The remaining schedule includes home games against Green Bay and Kansas City, a rematch at San Francisco, and two games against Seattle in the final three weeks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

This is a rematch between rivals for the job of running the Sheriff’s Department, which also oversees county jails.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

Dutchman Verhoeven exceeded expectations before suffering a controversial 11th-round stoppage defeat, and wants a rematch.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

A Pepsi-Coke rematch took place in June, with representatives from both companies making pitches over two days at Yum’s headquarters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

It’s why I didn’t let Justin have a rematch.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

There is no shortage of potential big fights, but bringing the champions together before mandatory obligations, rematches and boxing politics get in the way could prove the greatest challenge.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

Broaden the search to state and local contests and there are 474 electoral rematches nationwide -- proving that in American politics, as in Hollywood, there is rarely any objection to a sequel.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

With the NFL’s conference championship games set — the Rams at Seattle following New England at Denver — three of the four possible Super Bowl permutations are rematches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 19, 2026

As he has done in all previous rematches – against Fury and Joshua – Usyk used the data he had downloaded from the first encounter to his advantage.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2025

As it turns out, the data show that the 7-7 wrestlers win only 40 percent of the rematches.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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