confrontation

noun

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con·fron·ta·tion | \ ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of confrontation

: the act of confronting : the state of being confronted: such as

a : a face-to-face meeting a confrontation between the suspect and the victim

b : the clashing of forces or ideas : conflict a violent confrontation between rival gangs

c : comparison The flashbacks bring into meaningful confrontation present and past, near and far.— R. J. Clements

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Other Words from confrontation

confrontational \ ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shnəl

, -shə-nᵊl \ adjective

confrontationalist \ ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nə-list

\ noun

confrontationist \ ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nist

\ noun or adjective

Examples of confrontation in a Sentence

There were several violent confrontations between rival gangs. He would prefer not to have a confrontation with the authorities. a series of confrontations between residents and police We want cooperation, not confrontation. We seek to avoid military confrontation at all costs.

Recent Examples on the Web Hrant Mikaelian, a political analyst in Yerevan, said Mr. Pashinyan’s remarks likely accelerated a confrontation with the armed forces and its Russian benefactors. — Thomas Grove, WSJ, "Armenia’s Prime Minister Accuses Military of Planning Coup Following Losses in Nagorno-Karabakh," 26 Feb. 2021 The limited strike in eastern Syria was meant to signal to the Iranians that the U.S. would not ignore attacks by Iranian proxies but was not seeking a wider military confrontation, officials said. — Los Angeles Times, "U.S. airstrike against Iranian-backed militants in Syria was a message from Biden. What comes next?," 26 Feb. 2021 The confrontation begins at a side door of Lebanon Senior High School. — Holly V. Hays, USA TODAY, "These Indiana civilians hunt child predators. Expert warns they're 'playing with fire.'," 25 Feb. 2021 But a January court order set the stage for confrontation, ruling that Mr. Banyai must stop using Slate Ridge for training, and the town is now seeking a permanent injunction that could culminate in foreclosure. — New York Times, "A Bristling Standoff Rattles Gun-Friendly Vermont," 23 Feb. 2021 The brewing confrontation is the second one involving OAN and the White House press corps. — Washington Post, "One America News clashes again with White House correspondents over Trump-approved camera tent," 23 Feb. 2021 The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the confrontation, has yet to release details of the incident. — Paul Walsh, Star Tribune, "Suspect charged after police chase into Isanti County left alleged accomplice shot to death," 23 Feb. 2021 The confrontation escalated to a point where the pair had to be separated, with senior guard Matt Coleman swooping in to drag away Ramey. — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "BKC Texas-Kansas Advance 2-23," 22 Feb. 2021 Witness cellphone video shows the confrontation quickly escalating. — Carter Evans, CBS News, "New video shows California officers fatally shooting Black man accused of jaywalking," 20 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'confrontation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.