confrontation

noun

con·​fron·​ta·​tion ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce confrontation (audio)
: 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 adjective
confrontationist 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
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.
The escalating rhetoric signals the deepening rift between Tehran and Washington, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation that could draw in U.S. forces and further destabilize the Middle East. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025 In the No Kings protests, many of the episodes of confrontation between journalists and law enforcement have played out in real time on cable television or social media. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025 Viewers commended Miranda for comforting Kate during the chaos of a confrontation between Chase and Taylor Frankie Paul, who had previously been involved during the swinging scandal. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 16 June 2025 Attorneys arguing over whether a man accused of murder should be eligible for bail revealed details of a deadly road rage confrontation three months ago at a Rocklin intersection, where a man holding a tire iron was fatally struck with a metal wrench. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for confrontation

Word History

Etymology

see confront

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of confrontation was in 1632

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confrontation. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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