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

And the Heat is essentially three losses behind the Magic because Orlando holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Miami after sweeping the regular-season series 5-0. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

Last fall, before its FDA approval, Icotyde delivered better skin clearance than Sotyktu in head-to-head trials . —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026

The poll did not offer a head-to-head question surveying support in the Democratic primary for governor between Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser, his chief rival. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026

With the victory, the Clippers (41-38) lead the ninth-place Portland Trail Blazers (40-39) by a full game with three games left in the regular season and a head-to-head matchup looming later this week in Portland. —Janis Carr, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 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