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
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The federal investigators encountered puddles of crude oil on the facility grounds, as well as caustic fumes emanating from the facility, resulting in violations for air quality and other environmental infractions.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Both had been working as DoorDash delivery drivers at night in an attempt to avoid encounters with federal agents, their attorneys said.
—Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Verb
Hikers, campers, outdoor enthusiasts may encounter dangerous winter conditions above the snow level.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The federal investigators encountered puddles of crude oil on the facility grounds, as well as caustic fumes emanating from the facility, resulting in violations for air quality and other environmental infractions.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
Watch an encounter full of sweet talk, gaslighting and tension here.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Both had been working as DoorDash delivery drivers at night in an attempt to avoid encounters with federal agents, their attorneys said.
—Jack Brook, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter
Verb
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The Palladium provides more generous guest access for airport lounges (up to two complimentary guests without having to meet a high spending threshold).—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
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Gilbert says that recently, someone told her about traveling alone in Asia and meeting another woman, in Thailand, who was also traveling on her own.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Using this approach, the researchers found that small changes in binder distribution can dramatically affect battery performance.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Indoor and outdoor coastal vibes near San Elijo State Beach, with daily happy-hour deals, are found at Waverly in Cardiff.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the measure is expected to face major pushback in the Senate.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
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The secretary has faced pressure from Democrats and Republicans after Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot dead during an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
As the hearings continued, Welch and Cohn engaged in heated legal skirmishes.—
Kristen Monroe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Her search uncovers his hidden life abroad, forcing her to confront an uncertain future and imagine a different life for herself.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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These gatherings matter not because of what is said onstage but because of what happens away from the cameras—where leaders can argue, disagree, test assumptions and confront uncomfortable truths without the distortion of performative politics or social media outrage.—
Alan H.H. Fleischmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fingers skitter up and down the strings of a double bass, hands massage the piano keys, brushes gently scratch at the drums.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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This reduces the strain on the vacuum, helping the brush roller, preventing clogs, and more.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Clippers enter the final stretch of the season as the hottest team in the NBA, having won 20 of their past 27 games, a feat that caught many insiders by surprise.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
19 Feb. 2026
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So, this is about when undeniable attraction catches you off guard, but also the enormous consequences of following that urge and that feeling, and the consequences of that for the families around you, however innocent your intent is.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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How much were you involved in choreographing the fight scenes?—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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My record is one of an effective lawmaker who never backs down from a fight.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounter. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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