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
Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026
After a contentious Republican runoff in Georgia, the stage is set for a major face-off that will be watched by the nation.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Abby Dodge, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Flame-throwing Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski faced off with 35-year-old Braves starter Martín Pérez and his sinker, which was clocked at 89 mph.
—Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
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Noun
Messi began the face-off yesterday by scoring twice at lunchtime in Dallas, but Mbappe and Haaland appeared to see that as a personal affront, matching him as the sun set in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026
After a contentious Republican runoff in Georgia, the stage is set for a major face-off that will be watched by the nation.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Verb
Despite the heat on Friday afternoon, a large crowd gathered at Bayfront Park to watch Team USA face off in its second match of the FIFA World Cup.
—Abby Dodge, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Flame-throwing Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski faced off with 35-year-old Braves starter Martín Pérez and his sinker, which was clocked at 89 mph.
—Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 20 June 2026
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 25 Jun. 2026.
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