1
as in confronting
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 finding
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 facing
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 encountering
Google Pixel 10 Pro owners are encountering a significant hurdle when trying to access Google's advanced AI features.
—
Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The best safety measure when encountering bees near nests is to leave the area and create distance to avoid being stung by female carpenter bees.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
The series was an anthology hosted by the titular Frankelda, the ghost of an aspiring horror writer, who told stories about children encountering the paranormal.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 May 2026
When the eye looks symmetrical, that often means the storm is not encountering anything to weaken it.
—William B. Davis, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Criteria include water calmness, crowds, beach cleanliness, and the likelihood of encountering wildlife.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2026
While searching the home on Wednesday, police safely cleared two women and a child from the home before encountering a locked bedroom, Bettison said.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Thousands of Floridians are encountering significant obstacles when attempting to fill prescriptions as health-insurance companies increasingly deny coverage for medications recommended by their doctors.
—Joan Murray, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Others pointed to the fact that many visitors from the region were encountering an international art fair up close for the first time.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The best safety measure when encountering bees near nests is to leave the area and create distance to avoid being stung by female carpenter bees.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
The series was an anthology hosted by the titular Frankelda, the ghost of an aspiring horror writer, who told stories about children encountering the paranormal.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 28 May 2026
When the eye looks symmetrical, that often means the storm is not encountering anything to weaken it.
—William B. Davis, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Criteria include water calmness, crowds, beach cleanliness, and the likelihood of encountering wildlife.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2026
While searching the home on Wednesday, police safely cleared two women and a child from the home before encountering a locked bedroom, Bettison said.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Thousands of Floridians are encountering significant obstacles when attempting to fill prescriptions as health-insurance companies increasingly deny coverage for medications recommended by their doctors.
—Joan Murray, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Others pointed to the fact that many visitors from the region were encountering an international art fair up close for the first time.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encountering
Verb
-
Its airports have remained operational, its economy benefited from a larger citizen population (rather than relying on expatriates), and Tehran has been more cautious in confronting the kingdom directly.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
4 June 2026
-
There will be an all-over-the-place nature to this conversation because, after all, that is most reflective of the complications confronting the Royals.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
From intelligent fraud monitoring to keeping transactions (and cash) flowing, tools like these are finding fresh applications of AI that help sellers maintain an advantage in a competitive marketplace.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
In a sea of prestige actresses doing dramedy, Byrne is a true comedic talent, sporting incredible instincts for finding the funniest angle for Sylvia to take in her line readings or gestures.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Other challenges to the fund The DOJ is facing a plethora of other legal and political challenges to the fund.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
Worse yet, the region is already facing a water crisis, a dire environmental predicament that could be made far worse by the development.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Less than two weeks later, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Baku, meeting with the Azerbaijani president and other top officials.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
-
The two were meeting as part of a vape pen purchase that later turned into a robbery attempt, according to the report.—
Maveah Griffith,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The campaign is set on the streets of Los Angeles, catching Cameli in off-duty moments with candid, understated and personal imagery.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
-
Who will emerge as new quarterback Malik Willis’ biggest pass-catching threat?—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The entryway is grand and gilded, the staff deferential and efficient (and always greeting you by name), but flashes of modern style and edgy attitude save the place from seeming staid.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Steve Harvey is all smiles while greeting golfers during his charity golf classic on June 2 in Stockbridge, Georgia.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encountering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encountering. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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