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 Albano, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
The second women's singles semifinal at Wimbledon will take place on Centre Court this Thursday at 9:40 a.m. ET, featuring No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek facing off against seasoned Swiss player Belinda Bencic.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 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
Esperanza faced off against Los Alamitos and Coach John Barnes in the finals the next two years, falling to 8-0 and tying 14-14.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
The second women's singles semifinal at Wimbledon will take place on Centre Court this Thursday at 9:40 a.m. ET, featuring No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek facing off against seasoned Swiss player Belinda Bencic.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 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 18 Jul. 2025.
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