1
as in meets
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 finds
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 faces
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 encounters
Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The same thing happens again when the puppy encounters a duck.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Tempe officials note recent bee encounters Earlier in March, the city of Tempe took to social media to warn residents about bee activity.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Train on the Island operates at both extremes, as the New Zealand singer-songwriter wades through a mire of childhood memories, incels, and encounters with John Cale.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
To find a solution, an unlikely hero—a middle school teacher played by Ryan Gosling—is sent on a one-way mission to the star Tau Ceti and encounters an otherworldly sidekick nicknamed Rocky along the way.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
There are ways to make every one of these encounters more comfortable.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Grace encounters an alien ship and finds a totally different life form.
—G. Allen Johnson, Houston Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2026
Trump has made a habit of going off script during televised Oval Office encounters with foreign leaders.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
For years, the supermodel believed these encounters were simply part of the paycheck.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
In February, Carney and Mooresville Police Chief Ron Campurciani refuted claims in two federal lawsuits against the town about Carney’s behavior during two late-night encounters involving police.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
In arrests and use-of-force encounters across the country, versions provided by DHS of some events have been contradicted by eyewitness accounts and bystander video and challenged by independent judges.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Dowd emphasized that all rattlesnake bites reported in Ventura County this year have been the result of accidental encounters.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
After their encounters with the locals grow more threatening, resentments within the group begin to surface.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
Throughout both sections, there are character encounters and eateries and plenty of spots to power up with your Power-Up Band.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2026
Venus will meet with Jupiter in a harmonious sextile, opening the door for heartfelt encounters, romantic opportunities or perhaps even the possibility of traveling with someone special.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
Corrigan has personally seen evidence of rats surviving even the grisliest encounters with traps, as well as videos of rats pushing metal bars off their necks and surviving for months after losing limbs to traps.
—Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The same thing happens again when the puppy encounters a duck.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Tempe officials note recent bee encounters Earlier in March, the city of Tempe took to social media to warn residents about bee activity.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Train on the Island operates at both extremes, as the New Zealand singer-songwriter wades through a mire of childhood memories, incels, and encounters with John Cale.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
To find a solution, an unlikely hero—a middle school teacher played by Ryan Gosling—is sent on a one-way mission to the star Tau Ceti and encounters an otherworldly sidekick nicknamed Rocky along the way.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2026
There are ways to make every one of these encounters more comfortable.
—Maryl Sackeim, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Grace encounters an alien ship and finds a totally different life form.
—G. Allen Johnson, Houston Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2026
Trump has made a habit of going off script during televised Oval Office encounters with foreign leaders.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
Mail delivery service has been completely stopped in one Carson neighborhood due to an increase in coyote encounters in the area, neighbors say.
—Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
For years, the supermodel believed these encounters were simply part of the paycheck.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
In February, Carney and Mooresville Police Chief Ron Campurciani refuted claims in two federal lawsuits against the town about Carney’s behavior during two late-night encounters involving police.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
In arrests and use-of-force encounters across the country, versions provided by DHS of some events have been contradicted by eyewitness accounts and bystander video and challenged by independent judges.
—Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Dowd emphasized that all rattlesnake bites reported in Ventura County this year have been the result of accidental encounters.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
After their encounters with the locals grow more threatening, resentments within the group begin to surface.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026
Throughout both sections, there are character encounters and eateries and plenty of spots to power up with your Power-Up Band.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2026
Venus will meet with Jupiter in a harmonious sextile, opening the door for heartfelt encounters, romantic opportunities or perhaps even the possibility of traveling with someone special.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounters
Verb
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Join us at the Four Seasons for a celebration where cuisine meets culture.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Clients being served at the time of closure will be connected with resources that best meets their needs at the time including other city shelter sites, residential treatment, and permanent supportive housing.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Keep reading for more of our favorite charming finds below—all under $30.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In Claude—a wayward young man whom everyone nonetheless finds promising—Louise sees a vessel for her remaining idealism.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now that Sacramento County’s fiscal adviser has canceled the Sacramento City Unified School District board’s contract with a consulting firm, the district faces its budget crisis with fewer options and a ticking clock.—
Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Your 7th House of Bonds faces pressure as the Sun squares lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Jobs, urging follow‑through on promises.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The most recent of many legal skirmishes to come to the public’s attention involves Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter.—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After The Boss exits, New Art confronts Curator, questioning the promise of visibility and a newfound purpose.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
One of the biggest comes late, when their son Billy (Joel Ochoa) confronts his father.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Privatized airports avoided long shutdown waits Privatizing airport security, some in the business argue, makes airport workers and travelers less vulnerable to becoming pawns in congressional fights over policy issues.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Privatization could help remove TSA from congressional funding fights.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But beyond the watches, what immediately catches the eye upon entering the space is a floor-to-ceiling wall covered in live local greenery.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But when this happens, what catches many people off guard isn't the garnishment itself, as there are plenty of warning signs beforehand.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Four compartments and two drawers have ample room for your makeup brushes, hair tools, and skin care.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Concealer brushes lingering on your vanity or bathroom counter can be popped back into your makeup organizer.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounters. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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