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
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The exuberance and linguistic force of Midnight’s Children is still, after 44 years, a joy to encounter on the page.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Rumors have swirled that Jaramillo was at the center of an ambush or that his murder was part of planned retribution, but Cordero-Stutz reaffirmed that his death was a random encounter that could have happened to any deputy that day.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Verb
But that is what the Hurricanes encountered on Thursday night at the Watsco Center.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
The exuberance and linguistic force of Midnight’s Children is still, after 44 years, a joy to encounter on the page.
—Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Grab your pulse rifle, and maybe a shotgun for close encounters, because these are the scariest aliens ever conceived.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Rumors have swirled that Jaramillo was at the center of an ambush or that his murder was part of planned retribution, but Cordero-Stutz reaffirmed that his death was a random encounter that could have happened to any deputy that day.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter
Verb
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So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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When the Huskies lined up for a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, Ben Barten’s outstretched hand met the ball, sending it skittering across the slick turf.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The ones who needed to leave their mother tongue in order to find their true voice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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More on the science behind the portfolio diet A few small studies led by Jenkins in 2003, including the trial that introduced the diet to the world, found an association between following the portfolio diet and a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, the company faces the same existential headwinds that have scared other would-be moguls away from the news business.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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David Wolf, the executive director of the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Scottsbluff, said experts estimate that as many 10 people died for every mile of the trail ‒ perhaps as many as 20,000 travelers, plus an unknown number of Native Americans killed during skirmishes.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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The skirmish brought players from both teams out of the dugouts and out of the bullpens.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This could look like confronting jealousy in a relationship, realizing a friendship has turned competitive or renegotiating a partnership where one person holds the reins.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it, confronting family, identity, and a relationship that becomes life-or-death.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Once that’s done and completely turned off, use a small brush to clean around the disposal and inside it.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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Her brushes guided her into a new era—one where art would no longer be a side passion, but the foundation of a visual language that continues to deepen, expand, and heal.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One front-line starter that may catch the Mets' eye this offseason is Pittsburgh Pirates hurler Mitch Keller.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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At least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, Delhi's deputy fire chief said later, adding that the flames had been doused by firefighting teams.—
Shivam Patel,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The impact of losing enhanced premium subsidies The political fight around enhanced subsidies, which were enacted in 2021 under the Biden administration, is playing out during the ACA marketplace's open enrollment, when would-be enrollees are picking their health plans for 2026.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
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The fights are being broadcast on DAZN pay-per-view.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounter. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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