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

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says its Evasion and Graffiti Lawlessness Eradication (EAGLE) Teams aren't going away despite two recent confrontations between fare inspectors and bus riders that turned physical. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

After one episode that was all procedural investigation and another that was all cagey conversations, VisionQuest continues with an episode full of confrontations and commitments. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026

The ministry described the confrontation as an assault on militant positions. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

The confrontation spilled into the military, where reservists threatened to suspend volunteer service, raising alarms about Israel's preparedness. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 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