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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encounters
Dana Suskind, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
In the film, Stella’s character encounters the 39-year-old version of herself — played by Plaza — while on a mushroom trip.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
What was important for you in shaping how the viewer physically encounters the work?
—Eana Kim, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
In addition, with weight loss often comes excess skin, another condition Kamal increasingly encounters as semiglutides become more prevalent.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
What makes the whale encounters extra special is that the belugas are curious creatures and highly gregarious.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Two shots of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing illness, if given at least two weeks before the person encounters the virus.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
This flow always encounters some resistance; how much depends on oxygen availability, cellular demand, and the integrity of the system itself, including the number of mitochondria in the cell and the condition of their membranes.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
If Axiom Space’s work encounters further delays, the report warns, both types of suits are likely to be available no earlier than 2031.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
But this truth is anathema in a culture where billionaires expect to live forever and encounters with disease are wars to be fought and won.
—Hannah Kerman, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026
Melville’s book includes lengthy digressions on the typology of whales; the symbolic significance of white; the existing paintings and etchings of whales; and the history of fatal encounters with whales, among other topics.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
This skill is especially useful in their environment, where aggressive encounters can happen; an axolotl may even bite off the gills or limbs of another if provoked or crowded.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Explorers returning from expeditions historically documented their encounters with unfamiliar cultures and territories.
—Suzanne Dundas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
For families, younger kids with no riding experience can participate in gentle, one-hour pony encounters.
—Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Snake encounters in California Last month, the California Poison Control System reported 77 calls regarding rattlesnake bites in the first three months of 2026.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
That survey found encounters with federal agents caused many people not to go to work.
—Ubah Ali, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Because every experience a child has during their early years helps create new neural connections, wiring the brain for all future learning and connecting, encounters with AI slop may literally wire the brain incorrectly.
—Dana Suskind, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
In the film, Stella’s character encounters the 39-year-old version of herself — played by Plaza — while on a mushroom trip.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
What was important for you in shaping how the viewer physically encounters the work?
—Eana Kim, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
In addition, with weight loss often comes excess skin, another condition Kamal increasingly encounters as semiglutides become more prevalent.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
What makes the whale encounters extra special is that the belugas are curious creatures and highly gregarious.
—Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Two shots of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing illness, if given at least two weeks before the person encounters the virus.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
This flow always encounters some resistance; how much depends on oxygen availability, cellular demand, and the integrity of the system itself, including the number of mitochondria in the cell and the condition of their membranes.
—Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
If Axiom Space’s work encounters further delays, the report warns, both types of suits are likely to be available no earlier than 2031.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
Attendees would have received copies to deepen the bonds created by the affair, not unlike how people today cherish photographs of their encounters with celebrities and politicians.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
But this truth is anathema in a culture where billionaires expect to live forever and encounters with disease are wars to be fought and won.
—Hannah Kerman, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026
Melville’s book includes lengthy digressions on the typology of whales; the symbolic significance of white; the existing paintings and etchings of whales; and the history of fatal encounters with whales, among other topics.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
This skill is especially useful in their environment, where aggressive encounters can happen; an axolotl may even bite off the gills or limbs of another if provoked or crowded.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
Explorers returning from expeditions historically documented their encounters with unfamiliar cultures and territories.
—Suzanne Dundas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
For families, younger kids with no riding experience can participate in gentle, one-hour pony encounters.
—Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Snake encounters in California Last month, the California Poison Control System reported 77 calls regarding rattlesnake bites in the first three months of 2026.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
That survey found encounters with federal agents caused many people not to go to work.
—Ubah Ali, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounters
Verb
-
Effortless durability meets elevated style in these pieces that take constant upkeep out of the equation.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Rooms California-cool meets Big Bear coziness here, with light, airy rooms warmed up by charming blue plaid chairs, thick wooden furniture, and floral wallpapers in various coastal shades.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson finds a disturbing manuscript raising questions about the author’s mental state.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
From glossy flagships and chaotic Don Quijote megastores (also known as Donki) to drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi and Cocokara Fine, Japan is full of great beauty finds.—
Anita Bhagwandas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But representation in Congress was never the ultimate goal of the VRA, nor will that be the primary problem the country faces after its fall.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
The corporate margin is at an all-time peak exactly as the household margin faces a severe constraint.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The race unfolds as the district confronts a superintendent under FBI investigation, declining enrollment, a potential strike and ongoing academic recovery from the pandemic.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Near the end of the penultimate episode, Cashman confronts Blake about Urich, shoves him to the ground in a scuffle and shoots him dead.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Police also allegedly received numerous reports of fights and disturbances in different areas of the Jennings Beach grounds and parking lots.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But fights are just as integral to the Netflix show created by Lee Sung Jin, and the series’ sound team needed to do even more meticulous work building visceral senses of anger, stress, and dread that slowly swallow up the characters and steer them into making a compounding set of poor decisions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Bend, Oregon, Outdoor Adventure Belongs to Everyone On a visit to this adventure magnet, Sophie Morgan goes for a trek in the high desert in an off-roading wheelchair and catches an outdoor concert, washed down, of course, with a few pints of local craft beer.—
Hannah Wallace,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Curtis just didn’t show much as a pass catcher in college (13 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns in 2025).—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Try the entire collection, which includes a 16-shadow palette, luminous blush, and two brushes for less than $90.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Additionally, upright vacuums typically come with attachments, including crevice tools, upholstery brushes, and pet hair tools, that enhance the machine’s versatility.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounters. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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