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
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 encountered
In Oakland, the company has encountered numerous foes, including former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who unsuccessfully tried to indict Radius on numerous felony charges in 2023 over a massive fire that left black smoke billowing in the sky.
—
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
The system encountered much cooler air in the Great Lakes area.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Police said a teen inside the home encountered the suspect and was attacked with pepper spray before the suspect fled the scene.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
People who encountered the virus and develop symptoms should call ahead before going for medical care, to reduce the odds of spreading the virus.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Dobby is the first four-eared cat the shelter has ever encountered.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Arizonans on the way to work encountered a stoppage at Loop 202 Red Mountain eastbound to Loop 101 north and southbound in Tempe.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026
And that’s where the Legislature encountered the Law of Unintended Consequences.
—David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Three Austin Police Department officers encountered a suspect armed with a gun on the street near Buford's Bar, police said at an earlier news conference.
—Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
The system encountered much cooler air in the Great Lakes area.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Police said a teen inside the home encountered the suspect and was attacked with pepper spray before the suspect fled the scene.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
People who encountered the virus and develop symptoms should call ahead before going for medical care, to reduce the odds of spreading the virus.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Dobby is the first four-eared cat the shelter has ever encountered.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Arizonans on the way to work encountered a stoppage at Loop 202 Red Mountain eastbound to Loop 101 north and southbound in Tempe.
—Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 5 Mar. 2026
And that’s where the Legislature encountered the Law of Unintended Consequences.
—David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Three Austin Police Department officers encountered a suspect armed with a gun on the street near Buford's Bar, police said at an earlier news conference.
—Tristan Maglunog, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encountered
Verb
-
Jesse Jackson was an ambassador of hope for the oppressed, who met with kings and queens and presidents and dictators and clergy of all the great religions.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
How well has San Jose met your expectations?—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond, founded in 2009 and known primarily for its pea-protein burger patties and steaks, has had some turbulent times recently.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The 53-year-old Japanese designer, who founded cult label Number (N)ine in 1997, is relaunching the brand 15 years after stepping away from it.—
Ashley Ogawa Clarke,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Open the door to the Chamber, and you're faced with a sink, a vanity, two wardrobes, and two frosted-glass doors, behind which are a shower and a toilet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The project was revived in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson but faced strong opposition from environmentalists, including Marjorie Harris Carr, the barge canal’s most vocal critic.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those claims at a White House meeting last year that underlined the strained relationship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with those claims at a dramatic White House meeting last year that underlined the strained relationship.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In 93 career games, Lazard has caught 239 passes for 3,147 yards and 28 touchdowns.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Upon navigating to Pornhub, we were greeted by the blockade message.—
Chloe Albanesius,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Guests are greeted by a wrought iron entry gate, courtyard and small forest of mature live oak trees blanketing the front of the home.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encountered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encountered. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
