encounter

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

|Updated on: 3 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

Relations with North Korea seem to have encountered setbacks nearly immediately after Trump went to meet with the dictator Kim Jong Un.

— jennifer wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh Will Kill Roe," 11 July 2018
While becoming more common, bag bans can also encounter steep opposition in a state known for a libertarian streak.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Somebody’s got to do it.’ Anchorage Assembly members consider banning plastic shopping bags," 8 July 2018
USA TODAY NETWORK Fifteen at-risk teens bicycling their way from Loveland to Niagara Falls will encounter their first big challenge before the journey begins.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "At-risk teens surrender cell phones for a 500-mile bike ride to Niagara," 6 July 2018
When 19th century naturalists and explorers first encountered the dogs of Native Americans, they were shocked by the canines’ wolflike appearance.

— david grimm, Science | AAAS, "America’s first dogs lived with people for thousands of years. Then they vanished," 5 July 2018
The most important thing to remember when encountering a browser window displaying a tech-support scam message is to not panic and to never call the phone numbers displayed.

— dan goodin, Ars Technica, "Tech-support scammers revive bug that sends Chrome users into a panic," 4 July 2018
In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters three persons — a father desperate to save the life of his child, an older woman with an incurable disease, and a little girl near death.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Archbishop’s homily remembers refugees, César Chávez," 1 July 2018
When consumers actually encountered disclosure labels on GMO foods, their attitudes towards those foods improved, according to the study co-authors, economists Jane Kolodinsky and Jayson Lusk.

— brittany shoot, Fortune, "Trust in Transparency: Study Shows Labeling GMO Foods Improves Consumers' Attitudes," 28 June 2018
The column suddenly encounters an enemy force, straight ahead, defending the road.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "DARPA Invents Wheels That Instantly Morph Into Triangular Tank Tracks," 25 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