encounter

verb

en·​coun·​ter in-ˈkau̇n-tər 

en-

encountered; encountering 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

Synonyms of encounter

• meet
• confront
• catch
• greet

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 on the Web

DiSalvo said everyone he's encountered working at PHL has treated him and his family very well. —Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 9 June 2026

None of this would have happened — at least not the Marlins’ and Heat’s moves — if Main Street Sports had not encountered economic hardship. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026

At Wednesday's news conference, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden described the scene investigators encountered. —Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026

Some pediatricians’ offices delayed placing orders for the shots by months, and multiple states encountered issues when trying to order them through the VFC program. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing encounter

• encounter group
• re-encounter
• romantic encounter

Rhymes for encounter

• counter

Kids 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 noun

1

: 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