as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of face-off
Chris Morris, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024
The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball history, face-off Friday in the World Series for the first time since 1981.
—Annette Choi, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Debate, which got the most interest in September when Trump and Harris faced off in Philadelphia.
Between the lines: Those top search terms are only the tip of the news iceberg.
—Noah Bressner, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for face-off 
Noun
As if the match-up of teams from the two largest cities in the country—from opposite coasts—wasn’t enough to make league officials (and television executives) salivate, there’s also the face-off between the sport’s two hottest players.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024
The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball history, face-off Friday in the World Series for the first time since 1981.
—Annette Choi, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
Incumbent Republican Todd Rokita is facing off against Democrat Destiny Wells for attorney general.
—Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Debate, which got the most interest in September when Trump and Harris faced off in Philadelphia.
Between the lines: Those top search terms are only the tip of the news iceberg.
—Noah Bressner, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
-
The movie stars Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon in a bitter rivalry during a high school election.Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin play cousins whose tour through Poland in honor of their grandmother sparks some serious family rivalry.Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The triad are competing against Councilmember Hung Wei, former mayors Gilbert Wong and Barry Chang and political newcomer Claudio Bono.Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
-
In Oldham County, candidates competed for seats on Crestwood's City Commission and La Grange's City Council.Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
As other suburban Indiana school board races have become embroiled in culture war battles and heated partisan rhetoric in recent elections, school board races in Hendrick’s County have stayed out of the fray.Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Those battles would begin at the outset of Trump’s presidency.Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
He's struggled with injuries over the last few seasons, but will now look to contribute on a top contending team.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Overall, experts contend the best course of action is for managers and bosses to hear out their employees with empathy.Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
And More Ahead Of Final Two Episodes Rio still wants one of them, which spells a duel brewing.Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024
-
Many here see the current Dodgers-Yankees World Series matchup as a throwback to the teams’ last postseason showdown — the memorable 1981 duel, during peak Fernandomania, in which a gritty Valenzuela led the Dodgers back from a two-game deficit to take out New York.Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
In District 2, incumbent Cisneros had about 67% of the vote, well ahead of former Councilmember Jim Davis, while Le in District 6 was racing ahead with 54% of the vote.Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Nvidia shares have soared more than 170% so far this year, after jumping roughly 240% last year, as investors have raced to get in on the artificial intelligence craze.Michele Luhn, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
In the current era of U.S.-Chinese strategic competition, North Korea’s value to China extends beyond its role as a buffer zone between Chinese and U.S. forces.Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
-
The organising committee investigated and found that Jiang had violated competition rules in the preliminary round because she was helped by her teacher, Wang Runqiu, who was a contestant himself.Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK, theweek, 11 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Thereafter, Maske arrived in the driveway, where there was a confrontation between Aanerud and Maske.Tim Speier, Twin Cities, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Pine Ridge has a long history of violence — a 1973 confrontation at Wounded Knee between activists and federal officials left several people dead — as well as high levels of poverty.Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near face-off
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share