1
: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them
2
faced off; facing off; faces off
: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate
Examples of face-off in a Sentence
Noun
the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges
Verb
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Recent Examples on the Web
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 July 2025
Landon would resurface later in the six-episode season, as part of the team of friends and family that helps Riri re-re-rebuild her suit, in time for a pivotal face-off with The Hood.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 July 2025
Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
The next time the two NL West rivals will face off is Aug. 15-17 in Los Angeles and Aug. 22-24 in San Diego.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
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Noun
British rap star Skepta has issued a challenge to A$AP Rocky to face-off in a rap battle as part of an all-out lyrical clash between UK and US rappers.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 7 July 2025
Landon would resurface later in the six-episode season, as part of the team of friends and family that helps Riri re-re-rebuild her suit, in time for a pivotal face-off with The Hood.
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 4 July 2025
Verb
However, legislation that would have increased cash benefits to disabled workers never made it through the first committee this year, so the contending forces will face off sometime in the future.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
The next time the two NL West rivals will face off is Aug. 15-17 in Los Angeles and Aug. 22-24 in San Diego.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-off. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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