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
There were a couple of confrontations when the game got heated in the fourth quarter, but the Kings wouldn’t back down.
—
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 4 Jan. 2025
Israel says most of these are militants, but youths throwing stones and people not involved in confrontations have also been killed.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
In some cases, right-wing Christians visited the city to hold protests, leading to confrontations that resulted in clashes, arrests, and lawsuits.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
There are nasty comments on the group’s Facebook page, confrontations at events and run-ins with hunters.
—Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
The rapid pace of events and the depletion of Tehran’s military and political resources over the past year, amid escalating direct and indirect military confrontations with Israel, have left the leadership struggling to formulate a coherent response.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
Joshi's July 2023 exchange represented one of the climate confrontations, but other disruptions garnered traction as well.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
This means fresh confrontations can't be ruled out.
—Michael Kugelman, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
Taiwan's legislature has a history of physical confrontations.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 4 Jan. 2025
Israel says most of these are militants, but youths throwing stones and people not involved in confrontations have also been killed.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
In some cases, right-wing Christians visited the city to hold protests, leading to confrontations that resulted in clashes, arrests, and lawsuits.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
There are nasty comments on the group’s Facebook page, confrontations at events and run-ins with hunters.
—Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
The rapid pace of events and the depletion of Tehran’s military and political resources over the past year, amid escalating direct and indirect military confrontations with Israel, have left the leadership struggling to formulate a coherent response.
—Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
Joshi's July 2023 exchange represented one of the climate confrontations, but other disruptions garnered traction as well.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
This means fresh confrontations can't be ruled out.
—Michael Kugelman, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
Taiwan's legislature has a history of physical confrontations.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontations
Noun
-
Following a division in season guarantees drama and the playoffs, and the AFC North — with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns — showcases bitter rivalries that make for good TV.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have one of the bitterest rivalries in all of sports.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
With 11 goals and three assists across 23 appearances in all competitions, Diaz is thriving up front under Arne Slot and was the star player in a stunning 6-3 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.—
Gregg Evans,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s team have won just one of their last 12 fixtures in all competitions with Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa dropping the defending Premier League champions down to seventh in the table, notably below Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Confrontations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontations. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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