1
as in confronting
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finding
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in facing
to enter into contest or conflict with
the troops encountered bands of guerrilla fighters as they made their way across the desert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encountering
Road rage is a year-round constant in Colorado, but summer can bring more drivers to the state’s roads and increase the chance of encountering an aggressive driver, Mendez said.
—
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 June 2026
What to know about the weather The event is encountering significant threats due to weather.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 14 June 2026
Red and blue counties alike that are entertaining these proposals are encountering the same buzz saw.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Because Spielberg occasionally collaborates with his buddy George Lucas, Indy (Harrison Ford) isn’t encountering any straightforward aliens from another world during the film’s loopy climax.
—Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Mistakes to Avoid Avoid these mistakes when encountering a baby bird out of its nest to prevent the situation from worsening.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Police said the two suspects were seen walking in the area of 20th Street between Ritner and Jackson streets before encountering Schmidt at 20th and Durfor streets.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Even in the final year of President Joe Biden’s tenure, FIFA were encountering difficulties.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Others are encountering problems as well.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 15 June 2026
What to know about the weather The event is encountering significant threats due to weather.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 14 June 2026
Red and blue counties alike that are entertaining these proposals are encountering the same buzz saw.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Because Spielberg occasionally collaborates with his buddy George Lucas, Indy (Harrison Ford) isn’t encountering any straightforward aliens from another world during the film’s loopy climax.
—Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Mistakes to Avoid Avoid these mistakes when encountering a baby bird out of its nest to prevent the situation from worsening.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Police said the two suspects were seen walking in the area of 20th Street between Ritner and Jackson streets before encountering Schmidt at 20th and Durfor streets.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Even in the final year of President Joe Biden’s tenure, FIFA were encountering difficulties.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Others are encountering problems as well.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encountering
Verb
-
In this timely and personal film, Hardwicke wanted to capture the lives of skateboarders, artists and musicians who strive to live in freedom while confronting their often-traumatic pasts amid a streetscape sometimes marked by violence, drugs and mental illness.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
18 June 2026
-
Rather than confronting her mom, the teenager decided to wait until Rose was ready to share the news herself.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Another problem is the difficulty older Americans have in finding new jobs.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
In the 10th minute, Neil El Aynaoui pilfered the ball from Ryan Christie, then nearly capitalized on the ensuing counterattack, finding free space in front of an open net but overrunning Azzedine Ounahi’s cross.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Ventura was the only defendant not facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
While Burnham plots his next move, the UK government now enters a new period of uncertainty, potentially facing a sixth prime minister in seven years.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Lee, 31, exclaimed, and the pair, mere moments after meeting, snapped a selfie as Gonzalez, 28, presented his Korean bulgogi beef quesadilla to the camera with a grin.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Bunnie, whose real name is Alisa DeFord, and Jelly Roll tied the knot in August 2016 during a whirlwind Las Vegas ceremony, after meeting the year prior.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
How about Matt Capps, a closer on a one-year deal, for a young catching prospect with the Minnesota Twins named Wilson Ramos.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
In 2016, a B-52 crashed during takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, catching fire.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
All members of the British royal family, including those with His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) styling, are known to bow or curtsy to the monarch and his wife when greeting them.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
Before the performance started and while the dancers were demonstrating their moves, Sandy Sherwood, the president of the volunteers organization and a former library employee, was sitting at a table with two other members, greeting people and taking donations.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encountering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encountering. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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