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
R. J. ClementsExamples 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
While Ratcliffe seems to thrive in conflict, the Glazers do not like confrontation.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the gravest confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
—USA Today, 12 May 2025
What sparked the confrontation remains under investigation by police, who allege those involved in the fight, with exception of the victim, were affiliated with gangs.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
The country's pushback has resulted in sometimes dramatic confrontations with Chinese maritime forces.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adam Crafton, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the gravest confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
—USA Today, 12 May 2025
What sparked the confrontation remains under investigation by police, who allege those involved in the fight, with exception of the victim, were affiliated with gangs.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
The country's pushback has resulted in sometimes dramatic confrontations with Chinese maritime forces.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Cite this Entry
“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confrontation. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share