confrontation

noun

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

: 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

confrontational

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

confrontationalist

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nə-list 

noun

confrontationist

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun or adjective

Synonyms of confrontation

• rivalry
• battle
• struggle
• competition
• duel
• conflict
• warfare
• war
• contention

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

Asynchronous communication can easily be misinterpreted, allowing for not only confusion but often confrontation. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

During the confrontation, Villegas González was shot in the neck before crashing his car, officials have said. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2026

Zahnd’s office said after an initial confrontation, Barnett drove off and Johnson went to his car. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026

The investigation determined that Velasquez-Perez became involved in a verbal confrontation with another person possibly over a street gang rivalry, according to police. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see confront

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing confrontation

• self-confrontation

Rhymes for confrontation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation