1
: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them
2
faced off; facing off; faces off
: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate
Synonyms
Examples of face-off in a Sentence
Noun
the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges
Verb
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Recent Examples on the Web
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
But as the days close in on Sunday’s ceremony, the face-off is starting to feel more and more contentious — especially in the album of the year category.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2025
The two also faced off at this year’s Golden Globes in the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture category for their movies.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for face-off 
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Noun
The hearing today before Chang was the first major courtroom face-off over the August 27 breach of contract suit filed by Crichton’s widow Sherri Crichton on behalf of John Michael Crichton Trust’s Roadrunner JMTC on claims that The Pitt is an unauthorized ER derivative.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
But as the days close in on Sunday’s ceremony, the face-off is starting to feel more and more contentious — especially in the album of the year category.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
The game marks the fourth time in five seasons that the Chiefs and Bills will face off in the postseason.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2025
The two also faced off at this year’s Golden Globes in the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role In Any Motion Picture category for their movies.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for face-off
Dictionary Entries Near face-off
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-off. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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