ENCOUNTER Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

encounter 1 of 2

verb

in-ˈkau̇n-tər

Definition of encounter

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

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

as in to face

to enter into contest or conflict with the troops encountered bands of guerrilla fighters as they made their way across the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

encounter

2 of 2

noun

as in skirmish

a brief clash between enemies or rivals survived an encounter with the school bully at the local park

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of encounter

Verb

According to the report, the object displayed flight characteristics the crew had never encountered. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026 During the Roman Civil War, Cato led a Republican army through the deserts of Libya, where his soldiers encountered heat, sand, and the various spawn of Medusa. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Noun

Additional factors were likely at play in the January encounters, Huveneers says, including summer temperatures that drove people into the ocean. — Sam Nichols, Scientific American, 8 July 2026 Djokovic won their most recent encounter in the Australian Open semis before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for encounter

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter

Verb

The nine-bedroom property meets that tradition with more than 500 feet of frontage, a sandy beach, boathouse and the largest permanent in-water dock on the lake.

— Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Infinitely adjustable to meet all tastes and demands, from coarse to super fine seasoning.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026

Definition of meet

Verb

Gas stations across Russia are imposing limits on purchases, CNN’s analysis found, with fuel- tracking websites popping up to guide drivers to the best spots to fill up.

— Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The incident happened less than a week after another child was found dead inside a car at a Plantation early learning center last Monday.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Definition of find

Noun

The skirmishes date back to shortly after Haaland’s arrival at Manchester City in July 2022.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s point toward Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner amid a heated skirmish during their game has gone mega viral.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of skirmish

Verb

The episode ends with a heated exchange where Corlys confronts Rhaenyra for publicly styling his son as Addam of Hull, declining his request for his son to be acknowledged as a Velaryon by the crown.

— Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Rhaenyra realizes that she’s been played and confronts the child.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of confront

Noun

Clean larger produce, like melons, with a brush and cut away any bruised or damaged portions.

— Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 11 July 2026
That includes a bath with breed-appropriate shampoo, a blow-dry and brush-out, a haircut or trim based on breed and preference, nail clipping and filing, ear cleaning and eye area cleaning.

— Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of brush

Verb

Anaplasmosis can also cause severe illness, including respiratory failure, bleeding problems, organ failure and death, though it can also be treated with antibiotics, especially if caught early.

— Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
For many who are caught in, recovering from or trying to avoid the next heatwave, their prayers for rain might well be answered.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Definition of catch

Noun

Instead of promoting their efforts, Republican lawmakers were left scrambling when the president abruptly withdrew his support over a separate political fight.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Away from fight sports, this past month has seen three players competing at the men’s World Cup who are facing active investigations or have been charged with rape.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 11 July 2026