encounter

¹en·coun·ter

verb \in-ˈkau̇n-tər, en-\

en·coun·tereden·coun·ter·ing\-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of ENCOUNTER

transitive verb

1

a : to meet as an adversary or enemy b : to engage in conflict with

2

: to come upon face-to-face

3

: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly <encounter difficulties>

intransitive verb

: to meet especially by chance

Examples of ENCOUNTER

1. We encountered problems early in the project.
2. The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.
3. Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.

Origin of ENCOUNTER

Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against — more at counter

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ENCOUNTER

Synonyms: catch, chance (upon), meet, happen (upon), stumble (upon)

Related Words: accost, confront; face, greet, salute; collide (with), crash (into); crisscross, cross, pass; hit (upon), light (upon), tumble (to); reencounter, remeet

Near Antonyms: avoid, dodge, duck, elude, escape, evade, shake, shun

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with ENCOUNTER

bean counter, discounter, lunch counter, recounter, rencounter