confrontation

noun

con·​fron·​ta·​tion ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce confrontation (audio)
: the act of confronting : the state of being confronted: such as
a
: a face-to-face meeting
a confrontation between the suspect and the victim
b
: the clashing of forces or ideas : conflict
a violent confrontation between rival gangs
c
: comparison
The flashbacks bring into meaningful confrontation present and past, near and far.R. J. Clements
confrontational adjective
confrontationist noun or adjective

Examples of confrontation in a Sentence

There were several violent confrontations between rival gangs. He would prefer not to have a confrontation with the authorities. a series of confrontations between residents and police We want cooperation, not confrontation. We seek to avoid military confrontation at all costs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An eyewitness told police that the confrontation between the two boys began when Metcalf asked Anthony to move out from under the tent that had been set up for members of his high school track team on the field that day. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025 There is a humiliation that is at play with the ankle monitor, and then the confrontation with Chad happening at my workplace is kind of her nightmare. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025 Many allies feel they have been reluctantly drawn into a confrontation by Trump, who routinely says America's friends and foes have ripped off the United States with tariffs and other trade barriers. Arkansas Online, 3 Apr. 2025 DiVincenzo then stepped in, grabbing Holland's jersey, which led to a larger confrontation. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for confrontation

Word History

Etymology

see confront

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of confrontation was in 1632

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confrontation. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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