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

Like the book, the movie follows Greek king Odysseus (Matt Damon), who spends 10 years at war and another decade lost at sea, encountering cyclops, sirens and giants along the way. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 July 2026

And streaming has introduced Meyers’ films to younger viewers who are encountering them for the first time. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Europe’s legal foundation for sanctions is also encountering resistance inside its own courts, creating uncertainty that extends well beyond the Russian case. — Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

In those times, encountering a large beast like a massive snake, jaguar, or raptor could mean life or death. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

Guests then board a HEAV, the Hollow Earth Aerial Vehicle featured in the films, before encountering Kong. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026

The property makes the most of its secluded setting, where guests get to explore the wide expanses of desert and winding riverbeds without encountering other safari vehicles. — Rebekah Peppler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026

The death is the third in about a week involving people fleeing or encountering ICE agents. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

Medical students can complete their first two years, and sometimes more, without encountering a forensic pathologist or seeing the field meaningfully represented in their curriculum. — Gregory McDonald, STAT, 13 July 2026