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
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Boston readies for Dem face-off in November Wu will face off against Kraft in the city’s mayoral race this November after both Democrats advanced to the general election.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
On Sunday afternoon, the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever faced off in Game 1 of their WNBA Playoff series.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
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Noun
But if not, the idea of a Harris-Newsom face-off in 2028 could make for interesting politics.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
Boston readies for Dem face-off in November Wu will face off against Kraft in the city’s mayoral race this November after both Democrats advanced to the general election.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
That lead is down to one, and this week the two clubs will face off one more time with the division lead on the line.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
On Sunday afternoon, the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever faced off in Game 1 of their WNBA Playoff series.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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