1
as in to meet
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encounter
Fernanda Pesce, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
Tucker, the Special Agent in Charge for Texas and Oklahoma, said visitors should leave with memories of Southern hospitality and brisket – not encounters with illicit drugs laced with a deadly dose of fentanyl.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
The death of Kohen Wiley is the latest in a series of troubling encounters with police that have outraged community members in recent years.
—Travis Loller, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Verb
Their bond is evident to the strangers who encounter them on the streets.
—Fernanda Pesce, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2026
Tucker, the Special Agent in Charge for Texas and Oklahoma, said visitors should leave with memories of Southern hospitality and brisket – not encounters with illicit drugs laced with a deadly dose of fentanyl.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 20 June 2026
Noun
In nature, this ability may be what transforms a risky encounter into a lasting partnership.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026
The death of Kohen Wiley is the latest in a series of troubling encounters with police that have outraged community members in recent years.
—Travis Loller, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter
Verb
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Suarez also discussed the experience of joining one of baseball’s most storied organizations after departing Philadelphia, then watching as both teams failed to meet expectations to start the year.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
-
Trump made the threat on Sunday, even as Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials in Switzerland for the first talks under the interim accord.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
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His attorneys contend the containers found on Pino’s boat were collected from other friends’ vessels partying with them on the sandbar that day.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Negotiators face a 60-day deadline to reach a final deal.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Calmus knows firsthand what NICU families face.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.—
Gabriel Sama,
Mercury News,
21 June 2026
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.—
,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Firefighters confront a stubborn blaze inside a 500,000-square-foot frozen-food warehouse built like a giant cooler, with burning foam insulation, solar panels and ammonia lines complicating the multi-day battle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Jessie, confronting her abandonment trauma, blames technology after being separated with Bullseye, but ultimately helps a tech toy, Smarty Pants, to connect Bonnie with a new friend.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
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One zippered side pocket is great for organizing makeup and brushes, and the other one has a water-resistant sleeve to stash wet items.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
-
Dry grasses and brush, combined with hot, dry weather, create ideal conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly.—
Haley Parsley,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
If caught in a rip current, remain calm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Chicago police said that an argument between the victim and another male turned into a fight when the male pulled out a gun and shot the victim.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
-
In the room next door, Aaresh plays video games with his friend, like any other 12-year-old boy, taking a break from his homework and studying for a French exam, and oblivious to how his parents’ fight could change his life and those of others like him.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounter. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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