Synonyms of encountering

encountering

verb

present participle of encounter

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

• confronting
• meeting
• catching
• greeting
• happening (upon)
• running into
• stumbling (upon)
• facing
• running across
• bumping into
• running upon
• accosting
• crossing paths (with)
• chancing (upon)
• saluting
• crossing
• passing
• crisscrossing
• crashing (into)
• colliding (with)
• hitting (upon)
• tumbling (to)
• lighting (upon)
• reencountering
• remeeting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoiding
• escaping
• shaking
• evading
• dodging
• eluding
• shunning
• ducking

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

• finding
• meeting
• facing
• running against
• hitting (upon)
• happening (on or upon)
• discovering
• confronting
• stumbling (on or onto)
• running into
• lighting (on or upon)
• coming across
• tumbling (upon)
• pitching (upon)
• running across
• bumping into
• running upon
• chancing (upon)
• lucking (out, on, onto, or into)
• turning up
• striking

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

• facing
• meeting
• engaging
• battling
• fighting
• taking on
• opposing
• emulating
• contending
• rivaling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• escaping
• evading
• retreating
• eluding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of encountering

Yiyun Li on encountering the past in writing Music Against the Night. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Skipping furnace servicing can also heighten your risk of encountering problems like carbon monoxide leaks, poor air quality, and airflow, and inconsistent heating. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026

As part of orchestrating this project, Simon was also involved in securing visas for the various international performers, encountering in the process the uneven access to travel for cultural workers across classes, nationalities, and milieus. — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026

The teaser also introduces Ellis’ Alex Holland, who is encountering some of the same problems Nolan did while embarking on a new career as a cop midlife but in a leafier, more rural environment — and the same conviction. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026

Some viewers were encountering the idea of book lice for the first time. — Martine Thompson, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Sprinklers that operate during periods of heavy pedestrian traffic may unnecessarily increase the risk of someone encountering a wet or slippery walkway. — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

The result is an audience that can discover his comedy online before encountering a fuller, more complete performer onstage. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Chances of encountering a shark in Southern California are higher in October, when warmer coastal waters attract both prey and juvenile sharks. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026