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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Recent Examples of confrontation
There has been no disruption in production after the confrontation, with Pate continuing to direct, sources said.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Unlike some citizen journalists, Parias would steer clear of interfering with law enforcement or engaging in confrontations of any kind, according to Ugarte and others familiar with his work.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
During the confrontation, the man faints and hits his head, video posted online by OPP shows.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Rethinking Schools’ text justifies much of the Black Panther Party’s mission, despite its members’ open calls for violent revolution against the United States and their many armed, and occasionally deadly, confrontations with law enforcement and rival activists.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
Unlike some citizen journalists, Parias would steer clear of interfering with law enforcement or engaging in confrontations of any kind, according to Ugarte and others familiar with his work.
—Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
During the confrontation, the man faints and hits his head, video posted online by OPP shows.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2025
Rethinking Schools’ text justifies much of the Black Panther Party’s mission, despite its members’ open calls for violent revolution against the United States and their many armed, and occasionally deadly, confrontations with law enforcement and rival activists.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontation
Noun
-
Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Spurs were inept and disjointed on Saturday, losing 1-0 against Chelsea in a rivalry the club don’t tolerate losing easily.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Their current struggles are not a reflection of the quality in the dressing room.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In the past eight years, she’s gone through some intense personal struggles, including a pill addiction, a suicide attempt, a lung cancer diagnosis and a divorce from her second husband Randy Bick.—
Brianne Tracy,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The return from injury of Gravenberch, who won six of his eight duels, was another welcome sight, along with Alexis Mac Allister completing 90 minutes for Liverpool for the first time since April.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Much like the classic Tom Brady-Peyton Manning duels of old, the quarterback matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — the two current MVP frontrunners — is can’t-miss television.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Still, experts say there are additional challenges to ensure that insurance plans and other health care economics allow for investment into biosimilars and create competition as intended.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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The eight minor passengers on board, ranging in ages from 13 to 16, are members of a judo club (a Japanese martial art) from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and were traveling back from a global sports camp and competition held in Azerbaijan.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Raptors also played the Bucks, a 122-116 loss, with the home team bumping the game’s start time up by an hour to minimize the conflict between the two games.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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That is, some of the properties suffered damage during the war, but others were destroyed because the owners left the country during the conflict.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Data, competition, and the future of drone warfare The competition among units is fierce but cooperative when combat intensifies.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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On screen, Lawrence and Pattinson hurl nonstop insults at each other in loud bursts of verbal warfare, a striking contrast to the duo’s quieter working relationship.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Once upon a time, Morant was an unfathomably exciting and productive young player, capable of leading the Grizzlies to contention.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Houston came into the game with a 3-4 record and were vying to stay in contention for the playoffs.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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