confront

verb

con·​front kən-ˈfrənt 

confronted; confronting; confronts

transitive verb

1

: to face especially in challenge : oppose

confront an enemy

The mayor was confronted by a group of protesters.

2

a

: to cause to meet : bring face-to-face

confront a reader with statistics

confronted her with the evidence

b

: to meet face-to-face : encounter

confronted the possibility of failure

confrontal

kən-ˈfrən-tᵊl 

noun

confronter noun

Synonyms

• beard
• brave
• brazen
• breast
• dare
• defy
• face
• outbrave
• outface

Examples of confront in a Sentence

They confronted the invaders at the shore.

She confronted him about his smoking.

The country is reluctant to confront its violent past.

The photographs confront the viewer with images of desperate poverty.

I confronted her with the evidence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Occasionally, her clients may confront the complexities of depression and exhibit subtle yet worrisome signs of suicidal ideation. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Sep. 2023

Alex McCord, a relatively less affluent cast member who lost her job at Victoria’s Secret during the recession, also confronts Jill over her behavior toward Bethenny. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2023

Another confronts her at the fertility clinic, and snaps her photo before she’s dragged away. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023

Both unions are confronting the same challenge that faced Petrillo and the AFM, and that faced the unions that worked out the first TV residuals — how to apply old payment structures to a new medium. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023

The driver got out and confronted Ms. Lavigne, accusing her of trespassing. —David Gelles, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023

But this year, the event is confronting a UAW strike that has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry. —Michael Dobuski, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2023

When confronted by tricky financial challenges after immense gains in earning power went to Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hil, the Chiefs aced all three tests, Corry said. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

Balado paused, brushed back her hair as if to ready herself, and confronted the man as the camera panned to get him in view. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle French confronter to border on, confront, from Medieval Latin confrontare to bound, from Latin com- + front-, frons forehead, front

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

confront

verb

con·​front kən-ˈfrənt 

1

: to face especially in challenge : oppose

confront an enemy

2

: to bring face-to-face : cause to meet

confronted with difficulties

confrontation

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən

noun

Legal Definition

confront

transitive verb

con·​front kən-ˈfrənt 

: to face or bring face-to-face for the purpose of challenging especially through cross-examination

the accused shall enjoy the right…to be confronted with the witnesses against him

—U.S. Constitution amend. VI

confrontation

ˌkän-frən-ˈtā-shən 

noun