as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the softball rivals met in an epic confrontation on the last weekend of the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of confrontation
Related article The real stakes in Trump’s confrontation with Harvard
Researchers gathered the samples over decades as part of the Nurse’s Health Study, one of the largest and longest investigations ever done on women’s risk factors for chronic disease.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 8 May 2025
Frontier contractors fired after viral video confrontation with customer
Two Frontier Airlines contractors are no longer associated with the company after they were caught on video denying service to a customer.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
The Stirling family’s statement says that the video appears to show Stirling moving away from the officer when he was shot, although the video shows that the officer’s and Stirling’s movements at the end of the confrontation were fast-moving.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
Engaging in a direct confrontation can often amplify the issue, drawing more media attention and potentially polarizing stakeholders.
—Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 8 May 2025
Frontier contractors fired after viral video confrontation with customer
Two Frontier Airlines contractors are no longer associated with the company after they were caught on video denying service to a customer.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2025
The Stirling family’s statement says that the video appears to show Stirling moving away from the officer when he was shot, although the video shows that the officer’s and Stirling’s movements at the end of the confrontation were fast-moving.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
Engaging in a direct confrontation can often amplify the issue, drawing more media attention and potentially polarizing stakeholders.
—Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontation
Noun
-
She is locked in a bitter rivalry with the Bears, whose growing presence and destructive ways threaten the land she is sworn to protect, by any means necessary.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
-
But their rivalry over money and customers led to a bitter lawsuit in Miami federal court in 2011 that was resolved through a settlement the following year.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
This, after an epic indoor fireworks battle — among other shenanigans — had the place looking like a warzone in videos.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2025
-
In the Trump-Europe trade wars, the battle so far has been focused on goods: Trump’s tariffs on German cars and French champagne have been met with tit-for-tat threats to boost levies on all-American booze and motor vehicles, from Kentucky bourbon to Harley Davidson motorcycles.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Denver won Game 3 because Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray each scored at least 20 points, which went a long way toward subduing the struggles of Jokić.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
-
The independent federal agency has been facing financial struggles in recent years, having implemented a 10-year plan to stabilize in 2021.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
The first challenger, selected at random, must choose one of his or her neighboring opponents to go head-to-head in an epic quiz duel in the opponent’s category.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
10 May 2025
-
In each episode, the first challenger, selected at random, must choose one of his or her neighboring opponents to go head-to-head in an epic quiz duel in the opponent’s category.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
Stellantis’s European operation is a weak-looking target for new Chinese competition.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Forest, who won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough, last featured in Europe’s premier competition in 1980-81.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
The White House has said there is no conflict and that the president is acting in the interests of the American public and not his own.—
Susan Heavey,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
Beneath the surface, there are, in fact, some major conflicts brewing in Enzo’s life: He’s been waging a quiet war against his bourgeois parents (Pierfrancesco Favino, Elodie Bouchez), rejecting the typical academic route that his older brother (Nathan Japy) has successfully chosen.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Both sides have ramped up cross-border drone warfare, often going deeper into each country's territory.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
With missiles tracking targets from miles away, nations are pouring resources into stealth, advanced avionics, and electronic warfare—reshaping doctrines for a battlefield no longer visible to the naked eye.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The 34-year-old shot a 7-under 64 to put himself into contention, sitting at 5-under for the tournament and tied for fourth entering Saturday’s moving day.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
-
In order to be in prime contention to win the division this fall, a repeat performance might be necessary.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontation. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share