face

²face

verb

facedfac·ing

Definition of FACE

transitive verb

1

: to confront impudently

2

a : to line near the edge especially with a different material b : to cover the front or surface of <faced the building with marble>

3

: to meet face-to-face or in competition

4

a : to stand or sit with the face toward b : to have the front oriented toward <a house facing the park>

5

a : to recognize and deal with straightforwardly <face the facts> b : to master by confronting with determination —used with down <faced down his critics>

6

a : to have as a prospect : be confronted by <face a grim future> b : to be a prospect or a source of concern for <the problems that face us> c : to bring face-to-face <he was faced with ruin>

7

: to make the surface of (as a stone) flat or smooth

8

: to cause (troops) to face in a particular direction on command

intransitive verb

1

: to have the face or front turned in a specified direction

2

: to turn the face in a specified direction

— face the music

: to meet an unpleasant situation, a danger, or the consequences of one's actions

Examples of FACE

1. The teacher faced the class.
2. She turned around to face the window.
3. He sat facing the wall.
4. Turn and face to the east.
5. The house faces the park.
6. The living room faces the afternoon sun.
7. My shoe was lying in the corner with its sole facing upward.
8. The flower opens facing skyward.
9. Look at the illustration on the facing page.
10. Only by facing your problems can you hope to overcome them.

First Known Use of FACE

15th century

Related to FACE

Synonyms: front, look (toward), point (toward)

Antonyms: dodge, duck, funk, shirk, sidestep

Related Words: abut, adjoin, border, bound, fringe, margin, meet, neighbor, rim, skirt, touch; command, dominate, overlook; look down (on)

Near Antonyms: avoid, eschew, shun; elude, escape, evade, shake

see all synonyms and antonyms

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