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
Try to avoid clashes or direct confrontations with partners, spouses and close friends, as well as members of the general public.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
At least nine people were killed in confrontations with security forces.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Left wing terrorist violence emerged in West Germany after the protests and confrontations of 1967 and 1968, with counterparts in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere.
—Jason Burke, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
The tension also spilled into his confrontations with the judicial branch.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Are some teams better than others at four-on-four, and if so, doesn’t this give those teams an incentive to try to instigate the scrums and post-whistle confrontations that most coincidental minors come from?
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military’s Home Front Command to prepare itself for possible confrontations with the Islamic Republic, which officials anticipate could be initiated at any time.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2026
There had been previous confrontations between him and her relatives.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Need for speed Over the last decade, India and China have had several confrontations over the buildup of roads and infrastructure near the border.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
At least nine people were killed in confrontations with security forces.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Left wing terrorist violence emerged in West Germany after the protests and confrontations of 1967 and 1968, with counterparts in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere.
—Jason Burke, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
The tension also spilled into his confrontations with the judicial branch.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Are some teams better than others at four-on-four, and if so, doesn’t this give those teams an incentive to try to instigate the scrums and post-whistle confrontations that most coincidental minors come from?
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military’s Home Front Command to prepare itself for possible confrontations with the Islamic Republic, which officials anticipate could be initiated at any time.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2026
There had been previous confrontations between him and her relatives.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Need for speed Over the last decade, India and China have had several confrontations over the buildup of roads and infrastructure near the border.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontations
Noun
-
With the renewal secured, viewers can look forward to more high-stakes deals, intense rivalries, complicated relationships that have made the show such a standout.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
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Watch the All Elite Wrestling show with diverse male and female wrestlers and epic rivalries.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two surgical operations, costing a total of $400,000, were performed in accordance with the past directive following lengthy legal battles over in-prison access to breast implants, facial feminization surgery, and genital augmentation.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This style sparked architectural battles in Beverly Hills that at times seemed like a proxy fight over Persian American influence (Platform).—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The final season focuses on Claire and Jamie’s struggles during the Revolutionary War, with the war having followed them home.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The struggles with your in-laws, the struggles with the sister-in-law.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Since January 6, among midfielders at the six clubs featured in this piece, only Forest’s Elliot Anderson ranks ahead of him for successful passes, passes into the final third, touches and duels won.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Physical, mobile defender who excels in 1v1 duels and recovery defending.—
Abraham Nudelstejer,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But China has consistently steered clear of direct involvement in its partners’ conflicts, showing little appetite for wading into Middle Eastern security matters beyond protecting its own assets.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is preparing a supplemental budget request of roughly $50 billion to replenish weapons used in recent conflicts, including operations in the Middle East.—
Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao,Victor Loh,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Today, Rodeo Austin blends traditional livestock shows and rodeo competitions with concerts, food and family attractions.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
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This time, they — like the Olympics — will be scattered across northern Italy, with competitions clustered in Milan, Cortina D'Ampezzo and Val di Fiemme.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An administration official would make a claim about what happened, and later evidence would find these contentions to be misleading.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
However, the reality is that peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US and Europe are clearly stalled, if at worse dead with many contentions from both sides surrounding security concerns and, importantly, trade sanctions.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontations. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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