en·coun·ter
in-ˈkau̇n-tər 
en-
encountered; encountering
in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ
en-
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
: to meet especially by chance
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
Examples of encounter in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
a chance encounter with a famous writer
The tour boat had a close encounter with a breeching humpback whale.
There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.
It was her first encounter with cigarettes.
Recent Examples on the Web
ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
While the property’s listing through real estate company CBRE doesn’t refer to any supernatural additions, guests have reported ghostly encounters over the years, including the spirits of two teenage girls slain there in 1970.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Some, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, are reportedly wary of the encounter, while others, such as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, support it for its potential to foster new deals.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
Gone are the secondary weapon modes, grenades, chainsaws, and flamethrowers that made enemy encounters a complicated weapon and ammo juggling act.
—ArsTechnica, 9 May 2025
While the property’s listing through real estate company CBRE doesn’t refer to any supernatural additions, guests have reported ghostly encounters over the years, including the spirits of two teenage girls slain there in 1970.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
Noun
Some of the encounters were video recorded and took place over days, according to prosecutors.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Some, including National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, are reportedly wary of the encounter, while others, such as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, support it for its potential to foster new deals.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encounter. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encounter
1 of 2 verb
en·coun·ter
in-ˈkau̇nt-ər
encountered; encountering
-ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ
-ˈkau̇n-triŋ
1
: to engage in a struggle with as an enemy or rival
2
: to come upon face-to-face : meet
3
: to come upon unexpectedly
encountered problems
encounter
2 of 2 noun1
: a clash between enemies or rivals
also
: a very unfriendly meeting
had an encounter with the boss
2
a
: a chance meeting
b
: a meeting face-to-face
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