encounter

verb en·coun·ter \ in-ˈkau̇n-tər , en- \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Examples: encounter in a Sentence

Definition of encounter

encountered; encountering play \in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ, en-\

transitive verb

1 a : to meet as an adversary or enemy

b : to engage in conflict with

2 : to come upon face-to-face

3 : to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly

encounter difficulties

intransitive verb

: to meet especially by chance

See encounter defined for English-language learners

See encounter defined for kids

Examples of encounter in a Sentence

We encountered problems early in the project.
The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.
Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.

Recent Examples of encounter from the Web

Just three months into her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania, Sophia Griffith-Gorgati encountered a friend in crisis.

— aneri pattani, chicagotribune.com, "College students train to help peers at risk for suicide, depression and more," 12 July 2018
To be an American Indian is not only to descend from the people encountered by European colonisers, in possession of a continent they themselves had settled over 10,000 years before.

— The Economist, "Tommy Orange’s debut novel is a work of defiance and recovery," 5 July 2018
A few hours later, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers encountered Jordan on Glenview Drive in Hurst.

— domingo ramirez jr., star-telegram, "Ex-sheriff's deputy used online ad to solicit boy for sex, indictment says," 3 July 2018
As a result, police supervisors encountered difficulties in trying to determine whether an officer's actions were justifiable.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "He was playing his radio too loud, then got choked by a cop. Now, he wants the city to pay," 29 June 2018
Thankfully for all involved, the bike classes encountered few problems (in 2016, the cars didn't run until almost noon as a result of several red flag periods caused by accidents and icy conditions up top).

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "7:57:148—Volkswagen makes racing history with record-breaking electric race car," 29 June 2018
Thomas Wilkins encountered Johnson, 65, in front of Wrigley’s Supermarket in the National City Plaza Shopping Center.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "National City to hand out duffle bags to homeless people," 22 June 2018
But as Specktor reports, after traveling roughly three-quarters of the way around the continent, the iceberg encountered additional currents near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "World’s Largest Iceberg Is Melting Away After 18 Years Adrift," 9 June 2018
The first group soon encountered Paleski, who had made a risky solo retreat in an effort to find help.

— marc lester, Anchorage Daily News, "Weeks after her wedding day, a Polish climber survives a 1,000-foot slide from a Denali ridge," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'encounter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of encounter

Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French encuntrer, from Medieval Latin incontrare, from Late Latin incontra toward, from Latin in- + contra against — more at counter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

encounter Synonyms

Phrases

bump into, cross paths (with), run across, run into, run upon;

encounter

noun

Definition of encounter

1 : a meeting between hostile factions or persons : a sudden often violent clash

an encounter between the police and demonstrators

2 a : a chance meeting

an accidental encounter

b : a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person

a romantic encounter

3 : a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body

the Martian encounter of a spacecraft

See encounter defined for English-language learners

Examples of encounter in a Sentence

a chance encounter with a famous writer
He's accused of having had sexual encounters with several young women.
There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.
It was her first encounter with cigarettes.

Recent Examples of encounter from the Web

And this repulsive encounter is worse than unhygienic: those feces spread microscopic parasites that cause Chagas disease.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "How Tiny Trackers Could Help Humans Avoid Kissing Bugs’ Deadly Smooch," 9 July 2018
In one encounter, a woman paddling an outrigger canoe last Friday called Oceanside Harbor Police to say something had bitten her boat.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Three possible shark sightings reported off Oceanside in past week," 3 July 2018
This encounter is reminiscent of June 2017, when Nikki Haley complained on Twitter that she was booed and taunted while trying to get brunch during a gay-pride event.

— luke darby, GQ, "Kirstjen Nielsen Ate at a Mexican Restaurant After She Defended Locking Up Children at the Border," 20 June 2018
The victim said part of the encounter was consensual but not all of it.

— jenny dial creech, Houston Chronicle, "Texas A&M's handling of sexual assault case questioned," 13 June 2018
Shaw said part of the encounter was consensual but not all of it.

— jenny dial creech, San Antonio Express-News, "Sexual assault case leads to questions of proper punishment at Texas A&M," 13 June 2018
More Fireworks Are Certain The first encounter of the primary campaign was rather genteel by Republican standards.

— neil vigdor, courant.com, "Five Key Takeaways From The First GOP Gubernatorial Primary Debate," 12 June 2018
One encounter took place when Roberts was in Idaho and called the girl over FaceTime, according to the report.

— jacob klopfenstein, idahostatesman, "Idaho man arrested after alleged sex abuse of 14-year-old Utah girl," 1 June 2018
If the encounter is with a black bear, such as in this case, the NPS advises against playing dead.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Man Fights Off Bear With His Bare Hands to Save His Beloved Pet Beagle," 31 May 2018

First Known Use of encounter

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

encounter Synonyms

Synonyms

brush, hassle, run-in, scrape, skirmish;

battle, brawl, fray, wrangle;

ENCOUNTER Defined for English Language Learners

encounter

verb

Definition of encounter for English Language Learners

: to have or experience (problems, difficulties, etc.)
: to meet (someone) without expecting or intending to

encounter

noun

Definition of encounter for English Language Learners

: a meeting that is not planned or expected
: a usually brief experience with another person
: a violent or very unfriendly meeting

ENCOUNTER Defined for Kids

encounter

verb en·coun·ter \ in-ˈkau̇n-tər \

Definition of encounter for Students

encountered; encountering

1 : to meet face-to-face or by chance

I encountered an old friend.

2 : to experience or face often unexpectedly

Have you encountered any difficulty?

encounter

noun

Definition of encounter for Students

1 : a meeting face-to-face and often by chance

2 : an often unexpected experience It was his first encounter with fame.

Learn More about encounter

See words that rhyme with encounter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for encounter Spanish Central: Translation of encounter Nglish: Translation of encounter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of encounter for Arabic speakers

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encounter

Definition of encounter

Examples of encounter in a Sentence

Recent Examples of encounter from the Web

Origin and Etymology of encounter

encounter Synonyms

Synonyms

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Phrases

encounter

Definition of encounter

Examples of encounter in a Sentence

Recent Examples of encounter from the Web

First Known Use of encounter

encounter Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to ENCOUNTER

Related Phrases

ENCOUNTER Defined for English Language Learners

encounter

Definition of encounter for English Language Learners

encounter

Definition of encounter for English Language Learners

ENCOUNTER Defined for Kids

encounter

Definition of encounter for Students

encounter

Definition of encounter for Students

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