1
as in to meet
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encounter
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
When encountering areas of fog, visibility will reduce quickly.
—
Kansas City Star Weather Bot,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2026
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
Skiles said South Florida is seeing a higher frequency of drone encounters, seizures, and citations compared to other regions.
—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Verb
This real-life event, along with her desire for more Black representation in the genre, shaped the book's protagonist, Harmony Roundtree, a young Black girl who encounters a ghost in Savannah and gets pulled into a mystery.
—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
When encountering areas of fog, visibility will reduce quickly.
—
Kansas City Star Weather Bot,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2026
Noun
The encounter occurred after a horse was struck by a car in uptown.
—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2026
Skiles said South Florida is seeing a higher frequency of drone encounters, seizures, and citations compared to other regions.
—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter
Verb
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The United States and Iran have agreed to meet in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday for further discussions, according to another US official.
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Sources told Axios that both sides agreed to halt attacks on each other and meet in Qatar on Tuesday to resolve differences over the Strait of Hormuz.
Verb
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Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
-
His attorneys contend the containers found on Pino’s boat were collected from other friends’ vessels partying with them on the sandbar that day.
Verb
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Saturday is a Gridlock Alert Day in New York City as Panama faces England in the FIFA Men's World Cup in New Jersey.
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With the rise in demand by retail users, compute providers are also facing significant shortages, raising their prices, and are rushing to develop more hardware.
Noun
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While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Verb
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When confronted by lawmakers and journalists, Adorni has struggled to explain the inconsistency between his lavish spending and modest salary.
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Joe and Angela eventually confront their own marital fractures, including Angela's desire for attention and their lack of intimacy.
Noun
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My mom always applies it with her fingers, but it can also be applied using a brush or makeup sponge—just make sure to use light layers and blend for a natural, crease-free finish.
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Glamnetic uses thicker, durable nails that can often be reused multiple times, paired with a strong brush-on glue designed for long wear.
Verb
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Bass’ absence from the city soon caught the eye of right-wingers, with Spencer Pratt, who ran against her in the nonpartisan primary election, and Steve Hilton, who is running for governor, among those critiquing her.
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Prefab kits and plug-in infrared units have brought entry prices lower than most people expect, though hidden costs like electrical upgrades and ventilation still catch buyers off guard.
Noun
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Panama is already eliminated from advancing to the knockout round, but is continuing to show some fight here.
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Chicago police said the two women, aged 27 and 36, got into a fight in an apparent road rage incident.
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounter. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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