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

Additional footage, distributed by Fox News Digital, of them in a confrontation with another fan at the game has ignited further outrage. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

The outlet, however, says the confrontation never became physical. — Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 30 July 2026

Also let go were correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega — and soon after, Scott Pelley, after a tense confrontation with his bosses over the changes. — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 29 July 2026

The chemistry could be through the roof, but so is the tension, and avoiding the conversation will only make the confrontation more dramatic. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 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