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
For this reason, the probability of encountering a descending elevator first is higher.
—
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
The wayward high-schoolers of the HBO series are now young adults, encountering the difficulties that come with entering the real world and trying to establish themselves.
—Molly Lambert, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
The report also makes three policy recommendations for San Diego police, including additional training regarding command and communication when encountering a suicidal person.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Two soldiers were seriously injured after encountering a brown bear during a training mission at a military base in Alaska, the Army said.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
In the video, Evelo said the goal is to educate the public about what to do when encountering young owls.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The footage of them encountering each other for the first time is some of the most iconic in wildlife documentary history.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
After encountering an alien girl named Ruthye, who is hellbent on avenging the death of her father, Supergirl joins the fight for justice.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
For anyone just encountering her name, here’s what to know.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 21 Apr. 2026
The wayward high-schoolers of the HBO series are now young adults, encountering the difficulties that come with entering the real world and trying to establish themselves.
—Molly Lambert, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
The report also makes three policy recommendations for San Diego police, including additional training regarding command and communication when encountering a suicidal person.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
Two soldiers were seriously injured after encountering a brown bear during a training mission at a military base in Alaska, the Army said.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
In the video, Evelo said the goal is to educate the public about what to do when encountering young owls.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The footage of them encountering each other for the first time is some of the most iconic in wildlife documentary history.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
After encountering an alien girl named Ruthye, who is hellbent on avenging the death of her father, Supergirl joins the fight for justice.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
For anyone just encountering her name, here’s what to know.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encountering
Verb
-
Through the personal stories of activists and intense courtroom battles, host Brendan Patrick Hughes explores themes of faith, rebellion, and the complexities of confronting injustice, ultimately offering a compelling blueprint for modern activism.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Per the log line, in House of Stassi, Schroeder is stepping back into the spotlight to redefine her place in pop culture — but staying on top means confronting the ghosts of her past and a chaotic inner circle with a talent for disrupting her life.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The whole thing was a sign that the college is still finding its footing.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Throughout the renovation, approximately 90% of furniture, mattresses, lighting and artwork from previous guestrooms were resold and diverted from landfills, finding new homes across the United States.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In conjunction with Central Lakes College and Brainerd Walleye Alliance president Adam Mord, Kempe ran a creel survey on three lakes in the Brainerd area to quantify walleye catch rates by anglers using forward-facing sonar.—
Mike McFeely,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The world is facing its biggest energy security threat in history, Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, warned today.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At a lawn party devoted to the game of cornhole, Clark flirts with Floyd’s wife and the two soon begin an affair, meeting for afternoon assignations at the local Quality Garden Suites.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But there was a mountain high enough to keep film Ross from meeting Jackson.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hatzinger did just that Monday, catching a two-hitter by best friend Adalynn Fugitt and providing support with her first career home run for the host Panthers in a 10-0 Southwest Prairie Conference win in five innings over crosstown rival Oswego East.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Schlittler last visited Fenway in May, catching a Red Sox night game after making an early start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When greeting you, many staffers place a hand to their heart, as in many Muslim cultures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In a video taken at the King’s Gallery by Daily Mail reporter Rebecca English, Chatto and King Charles are seen greeting each other with a double cheek kiss, before Sarah dips into a curtsy for her cousin.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encountering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encountering. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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