1
as in met
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 found
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
3
as in faced
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encountered
Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.
—
City News Service, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Yet beyond the headline cities and endlessly recycled itineraries lies a quieter, deeper continent; one that’s best encountered through patience and a willingness to detour from the obvious itinerary.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Troy’s resurgence as a girls basketball contender under coach Kevin Kiernan encountered a challenging checkpoint Saturday.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
Many who encountered Wade Wilson over the years felt his charm and wanted to help him.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The psychological vulnerability this creates was encountered decades ago in a far humbler system.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
With nearly 30 years gone by, Dern said she's encountered numerous fans who say the episode greatly benefitted them in their own coming-out journeys.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 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
Once inside, officers encountered a woman who told them Bilger stabbed her hours earlier in the shoulder and again in the abdomen shortly before the neighbor came to the door, prosecutor’s said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2026
City News Service, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Yet beyond the headline cities and endlessly recycled itineraries lies a quieter, deeper continent; one that’s best encountered through patience and a willingness to detour from the obvious itinerary.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Troy’s resurgence as a girls basketball contender under coach Kevin Kiernan encountered a challenging checkpoint Saturday.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
Many who encountered Wade Wilson over the years felt his charm and wanted to help him.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The psychological vulnerability this creates was encountered decades ago in a far humbler system.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
With nearly 30 years gone by, Dern said she's encountered numerous fans who say the episode greatly benefitted them in their own coming-out journeys.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 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
Once inside, officers encountered a woman who told them Bilger stabbed her hours earlier in the shoulder and again in the abdomen shortly before the neighbor came to the door, prosecutor’s said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encountered
Verb
-
The transitional committee, made up of Palestinian administrators, has met in Egypt but has not yet entered Gaza.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The scope of its ambition is met, at every turn, by deft control over what is witnessed, and how.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pietro Loro Piana founded the company as a wool mill in 1924 in the country’s Quarona.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Film and Music Entertainment was founded by Taylor in 2000 and has produced over 75 features with over 120 European production companies, winning multiple awards at Venice, Berlin, Sundance and Cannes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Had they been convicted, the two immigrants would have faced years in federal prison.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When confronted by police, none of the women were aware of what had happened to them or that the actions could be considered criminal.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Homicide detectives say Elijah was at the center with friends when a group of suspects confronted and then shot at them.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The good boy's sprint was caught by the photo finish camera.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The body camera footage has caught social media's attention since being released, with clips from the video circulating on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X, garnering thousands of views.—
Ryan Hansen,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Presidents Day was greeted by thick gray clouds and rainfall across the Bay Area Monday as the first of three back-to-back storms brought minor flooding to some parts of the region, with steady rain expected to continue Tuesday and even the possibility of mountaintop snow by Wednesday.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Upon entering the lobby, you’re greeted by a grand staircase, roaring fireplaces, and an assortment of Western art and photographs.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encountered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encountered. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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