head-to-head

adverb or adjective

: in a direct confrontation or encounter usually between individuals

Examples of head-to-head in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Introducing The Courier Journal's Starch Madness, where 16 competitors vying for the title of Louisville's favorite French fries will go head-to-head in a bracket-style challenge. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 11 Mar. 2024 Some plug-in hybrids are going head-to-head with EVs on full life cycle pollution. Angela Dewan, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 If partial, preliminary results hold, Gloria will face Turner in a head-to-head contest on the November ballot. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Sabonis also recorded his 44th consecutive double-double while improving to 9-0 in career head-to-head matchups with Lakers star Anthony Davis. Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Throughout her campaign, Haley repeatedly highlighted that hypothetical head-to-head polls showed her leading President Joe Biden by a significant margin, in large part because of such voters. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 When harmful gossip resurfaces regarding her husband John’s past, Rachel stands her ground and goes head-to-head with Teresa. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Even better, since breakers battle head-to-head in a tournament format, there’s no convoluted points system. Sean Gregory, TIME, 5 Mar. 2024 And in a head-to-head contest with Mr. Trump, Ms. Harris did not fare any better than Mr. Biden, losing by six percentage points. Ruth Igielnik, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'head-to-head.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of head-to-head was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near head-to-head

Cite this Entry

“Head-to-head.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-to-head. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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