CONFRONTATION Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

confrontation

noun

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of confrontation

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

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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 As the district’s financial problems intensified, McArn became a central player in an increasingly public confrontation with the county Office of Education over how the district should prevent insolvency. — Chaewon Chung august 16, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026 The split with the organization was triggered by a tense and protracted confrontation with the chair of its board of directors, Sophie Chandauka. — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 16 Aug. 2026 Her detached limb is later shown lying on the ground as the violent confrontation between the two versions of Burke continues. — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 During the confrontation, which occurred back in August of 1978, Bell shot Dickens with a pistol, and then went back to his truck, grabbed a rifle, and shot him in the forehead, killing him. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confrontation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontation

Noun

The Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, which originated in 1892, has waned a bit in recent years as the Milwaukee Brewers have taken control of the National League Central.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
As China’s strategic rivalry with the US and its allies deepens, Beijing has broadened its anti-espionage campaign, casting suspicious eyes on foreign ties amid concerns about the leak of state secrets.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

Alex Wagner, who served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs during the Biden administration, argued recruiting has remained remarkably insulated from those political battles.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The fight preceded the Zeus main event, which was a battle between stars from the network’s Baddies series, Tehneski and Big Lex.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Throughout the years, Panettiere spoke openly about her struggles with addiction.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Panettiere has long been candid about her struggles navigating child stardom and fame, often opening up about her experiences with severe postpartum depression (PPD), addiction, and anxiety.

— Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Contrast that with eventual EFL champions Coventry City (48 in 49 in all competitions) and Championship runners-up Ipswich Town (50 in 49).

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Soaring temperatures are forcing drastic measures in Europe, where successive heatwaves are straining an economy already under pressure from US tariffs, Chinese competition and higher energy prices because of the Iran war.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The Throne Room Duel & A-Wing comes with two battle podiums, where the Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader minifigures can be placed to have an epic lightsaber duel.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
And this game will be the first Border War duel in Lawrence since 2005, a Friday night game on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

— PJ Green August 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Oman, a historic US ally, has attempted to act as a mediator between the US and Iran both before and during the conflict, notably hosting nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington before the war broke out in February.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
That definition appears designed to keep participating firms focused on criminal enterprises and out of interstate conflicts.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

Some have been Ukrainian drones knocked off course by Russian electronic warfare, such as the jamming of navigation signals, which can make their flight paths unpredictable and complicate decisions about whether and where to shoot them down.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
But by repeating the training scenario throughout the two-week exercise, US Army troops got better at figuring out how to disperse and hide from the drones while using countermeasures such as electronic warfare.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

But last year, their relationship blew up amid a turf war over CPS employees.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
While pursuing conservative, anti-migrant policies domestically, Meloni adopted a pragmatic approach toward the European Union and became one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of war

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confront

confrontation

confrontational

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“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontation. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of confrontation

noun

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