head-to-head

adverb or adjective

ˈhed-tə-ˈhed 

: in a direct confrontation or encounter usually between individuals

teams competing head-to-head for the championship

Synonyms of head-to-head

• toe-to-toe
• one-on-one
• face-to-face
• head-on

Examples of head-to-head in a Sentence

it's fitting that the two best teams during the regular season will go head-to-head for the championship

Recent Examples on the Web

Jaguar once went head-to-head with competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, making splashy appearances in James Bond films. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

As two formidable women go head-to-head, their battle for the soul of Longview exposes the secrets, resentments, and desires lurking beneath its picture-perfect surface. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Believe it or not, head-to-head matchups don't actually determine which team is better than the other, especially when the teams are closely matched. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The two will go head-to-head in several of the night’s biggest categories, including Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist, as well as Best Alternative Release — a category returning to the ARIAs for the first time since 2016. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for head-to-head

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead