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
And a lot of times that can be confrontations, right?
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
The most dramatic confrontations took place this past winter in Minneapolis, but in the months since the federal government ended its occupation of that city, resistance has continued.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
The two sides have taken to sharing videos and photos of their confrontations at sea, which have at times turned violent.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
Sheinbaum said fences will be installed to prevent confrontations between police and protesters in the Zócalo.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
While tensions occasionally flared between supporters and passersby, no major confrontations were reported.
—Stepheny Price , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
As the piece was about to air, Pelley said, that the segment had featured shots of protesters being aggressive in confrontations with officers, including Pretti, who was shown kicking out a taillight of a police car.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 June 2026
According to historical accounts, Reeves was involved in several deadly confrontations during his career and reportedly killed 14 outlaws in the line of duty.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
To be sure, the group publicly eschews violence, and the documents provided to USA TODAY include instructions to members to specifically avoid violent or aggressive confrontations.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
The most dramatic confrontations took place this past winter in Minneapolis, but in the months since the federal government ended its occupation of that city, resistance has continued.
—M. Gessen, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
The two sides have taken to sharing videos and photos of their confrontations at sea, which have at times turned violent.
—ABC News, 11 June 2026
Sheinbaum said fences will be installed to prevent confrontations between police and protesters in the Zócalo.
—Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
While tensions occasionally flared between supporters and passersby, no major confrontations were reported.
—Stepheny Price , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
As the piece was about to air, Pelley said, that the segment had featured shots of protesters being aggressive in confrontations with officers, including Pretti, who was shown kicking out a taillight of a police car.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 June 2026
According to historical accounts, Reeves was involved in several deadly confrontations during his career and reportedly killed 14 outlaws in the line of duty.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
To be sure, the group publicly eschews violence, and the documents provided to USA TODAY include instructions to members to specifically avoid violent or aggressive confrontations.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontations
Noun
-
From legendary investors to rising disruptors, host Maneet Ahuja unpacks the convictions, rivalries and bold ideas driving today’s markets and tomorrow’s economy.—
Maneet Ahuja,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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While the two keep drinking and wait for a rare lunar event, old grievances, outrageous escapades, and macho rivalries explode to the surface.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Related Stories The project will explore Gaudí’s life, inner battles and spiritual evolution, framing the architect as a radical creative force shaped by faith and an increasingly austere existence.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
What follows is a wildly chaotic getaway featuring inflatable bubble-ball battles, awkward matchmaking schemes, disastrous sabotage attemptsand even an emergency dolphin CPR situation.—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Noun
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Prices of essential goods have soared and many people have lost their jobs, with millions now at risk of falling into poverty amid widespread economic struggles.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
Not by putting anyone on blast and not by outing anyone’s struggles, but by keeping the burden of truth squarely on my shoulders.—
Ali Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Last season, the data from his Premier League performances places him in the 90th percentile or above (10 per cent or fewer performed better than him) for progressive carries, carries into the opposition’s final third, chances created from attacking set-pieces, aerial duels won and blocked shots.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
LaBonta completed 23 of 29 passes from the middle of the park, put in four tackles, made two interceptions and two ball recoveries, and won five of her eight duels with players, all while avoiding committing a single foul.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Haddad said the qualification offers an opportunity for the world to see a different side of Jordan, a nation often overshadowed by regional conflicts.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
In other words, the current combination of US political tensions and global conflicts are driving more US nationals to seek new options overseas.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Measles has spread as a result of travel to international sports competitions before.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Master Mini, approximately one meter tall, is designed for education and robotic sports competitions, while Nova, standing about 50 centimeters tall, is intended as an entry-level educational and companion robot for children.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
At the time, Sackler offered no response to these contentions.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
-
Nowhere is this reconciliation more evident than in the enduring contentions surrounding France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, also known as Kanak by its native community.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confrontations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontations. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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