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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of face-off
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
The video, currently making the rounds on social media, features Gunn and Corenswet having an impassioned discussion on set about Superman's motivation during the film's climactic speech and face-off between Superman and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
The talk show host had not revealed his children's names and has largely kept their faces off of social media.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
The highly anticipated face-off on American soil lasted over three hours as White House aides and long-term diplomats from Moscow led bilateral discussions at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
The video, currently making the rounds on social media, features Gunn and Corenswet having an impassioned discussion on set about Superman's motivation during the film's climactic speech and face-off between Superman and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
On September 14, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium, marking their first home game of the season and their first game against the Eagles since losing to them at the 2025 Super Bowl.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
The talk show host had not revealed his children's names and has largely kept their faces off of social media.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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Those games include matchups versus the NFC North, AFC North divisional rivalry games versus the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers as well as a late season road showdown against the Buffalo Bills.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The Studio beat The Bear for the most wins for a comedy series in a single year, while The Pitt reigned supreme in its rivalry with Severance and Britt Lower pulled an upset in Lead Actress in a Drama over Kathy Bates.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Drennan, 43, grew up helping his brothers and uncles build derby cars and later competed in a few derbies himself.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Masino argued the company needed to update its image, menu and restaurants to compete in a difficult environment.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Republicans were unfazed by Democrats threatening to withhold their votes, accusing them of hypocrisy for condemning GOP efforts to win policy concessions in past funding battles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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The iconic items fit well in this book given how many Avengers don’t feel complete without a gadget or mystical item to carry into battle.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As a result, the state contends, its colleges lose out on tens of millions of dollars because of discriminatory requirements.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Entering play on Monday, here’s where every contending team stands with roughly 13 games to go.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The side two divisions above are better in every respect, most noticeably in one-against-one duels out wide.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Their duel is brutal and operatic, the culmination of years of tension between Cleonic brothers.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thousands of residents were evacuated as the flames raced up the Santa Ana Mountains, cresting and driving straight toward the Lake Elsinore area, burning cabins in the Cleveland National Forest’s Holy Jim Canyon and then homes in the El Cariso Village neighborhood.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
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With California poised to become the first state to formally regulate microplastics in consumer products, many brands and retailers are racing to evaluate their value chains in anticipation of significant operational shifts.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The fourth season will be played from June 18-July 18, 2026, the preferred slot in the calendar for MLC with not much competition from other domestic leagues.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The number of local homes put up for sale soared, boosting competition among sellers.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Direct confrontation during an emotional high can intensify instability.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Camarillo, the Standard professor, argued that the confrontations highlight how enforcement priorities have shifted.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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