as in rivalries
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the softball rivals met in an epic confrontation on the last weekend of the summer
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Recent Examples of confrontations
The tense and often violent confrontations outside the Broadview facility included questionable tactics by the federal officers with their use of tear gas and less-lethal munitions on demonstrators.
—
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Tortorella brings the reputation into the veteran locker room of a fiery coach who doesn't back down from confrontations, often winning early before later wearing thin with his players.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
While most gatherings were reportedly peaceful, authorities and media reported clashes late in the day outside federal properties in Los Angeles and Portland, where police issued dispersal orders and made arrests after confrontations at sites associated with immigration enforcement and detention.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
The massive expansion of enforcement operations drew local resistance from activists, leading to clashes with federal agents and the deaths of residents Good and Pretti during confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
In December 2023, protesters opposing Israel’s war in Gaza blocked the southbound 110 Freeway in downtown for several hours, stopping traffic and prompting physical confrontations with motorists.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Richter and Henke said the best way to avoid confrontations with coyotes is to eliminate food sources, whether by not feeding them directly, bringing pet food indoors or securing garbage.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
With drum circles, ransacked guest rooms and theatrical confrontations staged across sandy paths and candlelit dinners, guests become active participants in the drama.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Tortorella brings the reputation into the veteran locker room of a fiery coach who doesn't back down from confrontations, often winning early before later wearing thin with his players.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
While most gatherings were reportedly peaceful, authorities and media reported clashes late in the day outside federal properties in Los Angeles and Portland, where police issued dispersal orders and made arrests after confrontations at sites associated with immigration enforcement and detention.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
The massive expansion of enforcement operations drew local resistance from activists, leading to clashes with federal agents and the deaths of residents Good and Pretti during confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
In December 2023, protesters opposing Israel’s war in Gaza blocked the southbound 110 Freeway in downtown for several hours, stopping traffic and prompting physical confrontations with motorists.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Richter and Henke said the best way to avoid confrontations with coyotes is to eliminate food sources, whether by not feeding them directly, bringing pet food indoors or securing garbage.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
With drum circles, ransacked guest rooms and theatrical confrontations staged across sandy paths and candlelit dinners, guests become active participants in the drama.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
That strike lasted more than a year and included violent confrontations between police and protesters, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontations
Noun
-
Others are places of conflict caused by rivalries between countries or peoples, disputes over national resources, or disagreements about the past.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
If festive pride persists, it is no longer connected to a country, empire, culture, or race, but the unique traditions of individual municipalities, pitted against one another in fierce but friendly, sportsmanlike rivalries.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Understandably, some gamers may be skeptical or even alarmed, given the ethical issues and legal battles surrounding generative AI.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The committee will share the information with parents and staff on which campuses would be closed and more details on consolidation amid increasing financial struggles.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Screens in education are one factor increasingly under scrutiny as educators and parents search for explanations for this generation’s academic struggles, which became most pronounced during COVID-19 but have lingered even after years back in the physical classroom.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin both have the ability to win aerial duels and run off their partner’s flick-ons.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
-
In Dumas’ work, fights and duels and brave assaults on prisons are done grandly, out in the open.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But in recent years, the glittering spectacle, meant to celebrate unity, has been overshadowed by global conflicts which have seeped onto the stage.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Escalating geopolitical conflicts have disrupted oil flows and contributed to a surge in gas prices in the past.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The case presents an interesting account of sports business and higher ed decision-making at a time when many colleges are in expensive competitions for coaches who are paid millions of dollars, and where athletes are now paid through revenue sharing and NIL.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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According to the cafe’s social media, Subculture previously held latte art competitions and open mic nights.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
An administration official would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would find these contentions to be misleading.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
However, the reality is that peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US and Europe are clearly stalled, if at worse dead with many contentions from both sides surrounding security concerns and, importantly, trade sanctions.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontations. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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