as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the softball rivals met in an epic confrontation on the last weekend of the summer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confrontation
While neither China nor India is willing to enter into a direct confrontation with the West, both are happy to see Russia pushing an anti-Western agenda.
—
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
But Tchervinski, who is White, also was seen in a cellphone video appearing to slap a Black man in the face during a confrontation in the street, which escalated into a physical fight.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
As Charley tells Harrison during a brief confrontation, Dexter is practically still a stranger to him.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Create Safe Alternatives For Sharing Feedback Some employees may hesitate to share concerns directly with leadership due to fear of confrontation or retribution.
—Clare Miller, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
But Tchervinski, who is White, also was seen in a cellphone video appearing to slap a Black man in the face during a confrontation in the street, which escalated into a physical fight.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
As Charley tells Harrison during a brief confrontation, Dexter is practically still a stranger to him.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Create Safe Alternatives For Sharing Feedback Some employees may hesitate to share concerns directly with leadership due to fear of confrontation or retribution.
—Clare Miller, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontation
Noun
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The rivalry itself has been tight.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Djokovic ultimately emerged as the third man, which enriched the dynamic and added layers, creating three rivalries where previously there had been one.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When a person is gravely ill, they’re often forced to fight two battles, one against their sickness and the other against the insurance company.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The combination of strange comments, a clear lack of education and experience, and a disturbing personal history with mental health struggles and domestic problems doomed his campaign.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Appreciation means valuing the struggle of learning, not despite its difficulty but because of it.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 27-year-old is technical, strong in duels, has a great engine to move up and down the pitch, a good ball progresser and reader of the game.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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After Fairview won 35-30 in a duel last fall, the two programs from the northwest quadrant of the metro delivered another intriguing bout in 2025.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
6 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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And if someone begins filming you during the potential conflict?—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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The country is also the site of the Western Hemisphere’s longest-running internal armed conflict, and constitutionally requires all men between the ages of 18 and 24 to undertake some form of military service.—
Rebecca Johns,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The system’s continuous modernization reflects the shifting nature of naval warfare, where adversaries are increasingly fielding maneuvering anti-ship missiles, drone swarms, and asymmetric maritime threats.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
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This kind of ‘autonomy at the edge’, where human oversight is minimal once a system is unleashed, marks a qualitative shift in warfare.—
Brian Walsh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nigeria’s captain also pushed back against the idea that the Super Eagles had ever been out of contention in their qualifying campaign, even when outside narratives counted them out.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Six shots behind the leader with just 12 holes remaining, the Northern Irishman managed to stay in contention and even close the gap.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontation. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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