Synonyms of encounters

encounters 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of encounter

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

• meets
• confronts
• catches
• greets
• happens (upon)
• runs into
• stumbles (upon)
• runs upon
• runs across
• chances (upon)
• bumps into
• faces
• accosts
• crosses paths (with)
• passes
• salutes
• crosses
• crashes (into)
• collides (with)
• tumbles (to)
• crisscrosses
• hits (upon)
• reencounters
• lights (upon)
• remeets

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• escapes
• avoids
• shakes
• eludes
• evades
• shuns
• ducks
• dodges

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

• finds
• meets
• runs against
• happens (on or upon)
• stumbles (on or onto)
• comes across
• hits (upon)
• runs into
• tumbles (upon)
• runs across
• faces
• chances (upon)
• pitches (upon)
• lights (on or upon)
• discovers
• confronts
• runs upon
• bumps into
• lucks (out, on, onto, or into)
• turns up
• strikes

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

• faces
• meets
• engages
• fights
• battles
• takes on
• contends
• rivals
• emulates
• opposes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• escapes
• eludes
• evades
• retreats

encounters

2 of 2

noun

plural of encounter

as in skirmishes

a brief clash between enemies or rivals

survived an encounter with the school bully at the local park

Synonyms & Similar Words

• skirmishes
• fights
• brushes
• run-ins
• brawls
• arguments
• scrapes
• quarrels
• battles
• hassles
• squabbles
• spats
• tiffs
• rows
• wrangles
• frays

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of encounters

Verb

Throughout the journey, the conservationist, television host and executive producer encounters black bears, alligators and native fish while documenting active wildlife rescue and conservation efforts. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026

Every leader eventually encounters a mountain that cannot be crossed through vision alone. — Jason Bork, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

The prince, Ashitaka, encounters a forest-dwelling young woman called San on his journey and the two become friends, teaming up to help save the forest and end his curse. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026

Through four series, Spartacus encounters brutal battles, heart-rending betrayals, and more. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Whether that recovery proceeds as EIA expects or encounters the technical obstacles Berman warns about could determine how long the economic consequences of the conflict linger after the shooting stops. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

This is also where Bilbo first encounters a mysterious and magical ring. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

The Cleveland Clinic recommends anyone who encounters mold to clean it using products like bleach, using an air conditioner or dehumidifier and turning on exhaust fans among other measures. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026

While retracing his route, revisiting photos, and dredging her memories for clues to his distress, Lotte encounters dangers and pushes her limits. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

The days spent with the other witnesses as well as the encounters and testimonies shed light on events that had remained unresolved for decades. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

Even Velvet, after seven or eight encounters and a viral video, barely knows him. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026

Or how, unlike hallucinations, which are quickly forgotten, these encounters stay with survivors for decades. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Yet the company excluded the majority of those harms from its public reports, designing its metrics so that many of the worst encounters were never captured. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

These photographs emerged from encounters with sisters, daughters, mothers and friends — women whose lives are shaped by tradition, but also by a rapidly changing society. — Photovogue, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026

But that only highlights the need for the public to give them ample space to avoid these jarring encounters, just like with any other wildlife. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

The resort is a stone's throw from a major sea turtle habitat, and snorkeling tours that result in face-to-face encounters with a myriad of marine life are offered. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Dershowitz has said the rift continued after that encounter, telling The Atlantic that David no longer speaks to him and has ignored him during subsequent encounters. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026