confrontation

noun

con·​fron·​ta·​tion ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən 

: 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

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

confrontationalist

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nə-list 

noun

confrontationist

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun or adjective

Synonyms

• ball game
• battle
• combat
• competition
• conflict
• contention
• contest
• dogfight
• duel
• face-off
• grapple
• match
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tug-of-war
• war
• warfare

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

Zoom in: Trump is sparking a confrontation with his closest allies in Congress, with Johnson caught in the middle. —Justin Green, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

Garrido was caught on camera leaving a nearby restaurant before his confrontation with the traffic agent. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024

The stage is set for the West’s confrontation with Russia to intensify. —Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2024

The courage to replace condemnation with INVITATION, and the courage to replace confrontation with common sense. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see confront

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing confrontation

• self-confrontation