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
Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Every few years, usually in December, the system encounters a Dunkelflaute — an energy drought lasting a week or two, with little wind and little sun.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
One of the most painful issues Shanda encounters is judgment.
—Adrienne Farr, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
Violet hosts a grand masquerade ball, where Benedict first encounters the mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha), who is actually Sophie Baek, the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell (Beef, The Bear), is a psychological thriller that follows an introverted 20-something retail clerk, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), who encounters Oliver (Archie Madekwe), a popular and charismatic musician.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
In this case, as the rain drop continues its journey down to the ground and encounters air below freezing, the liquid rain then freezes into an ice pellet, sleet.
—Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Further confirmation that the Enclave was behind all of this comes in a flashback, when Barb encounters none other than Wilzig (Michael Emerson, now with a body) in an elevator at Vault-Tec HQ.
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Sarah Moreno
february 4, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
In fact, a University of Chicago analysis found that departments using bodycams saw a 10% drop in all use-of-force encounters.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Days later, the administration removed Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, who was often present at violent encounters with protesters and arrests of immigrants.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
Skunks looking for love are on the move in California, raising the risk of unwelcome encounters for humans.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Between the care provided at The Beehive, its street medicine work and a new respite care facility not yet fully operational, Care Beyond the Boulevard served more than 3,400 patients through about 17,000 encounters in 2025.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
This framing effectively provides a rationale for ignoring officers’ commands during field encounters.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Many people envision salary discussions as adversarial encounters with winners and losers.
—Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This lion was traveling a circuitous route from mountains to foothills to backyards and front yards, navigating urban sprawl but avoiding encounters with people.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
When a kid encounters a difficult teacher, a parent might want to intervene.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Every few years, usually in December, the system encounters a Dunkelflaute — an energy drought lasting a week or two, with little wind and little sun.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
One of the most painful issues Shanda encounters is judgment.
—Adrienne Farr, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
Violet hosts a grand masquerade ball, where Benedict first encounters the mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha), who is actually Sophie Baek, the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell (Beef, The Bear), is a psychological thriller that follows an introverted 20-something retail clerk, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), who encounters Oliver (Archie Madekwe), a popular and charismatic musician.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
In this case, as the rain drop continues its journey down to the ground and encounters air below freezing, the liquid rain then freezes into an ice pellet, sleet.
—Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Further confirmation that the Enclave was behind all of this comes in a flashback, when Barb encounters none other than Wilzig (Michael Emerson, now with a body) in an elevator at Vault-Tec HQ.
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Montaner’s cinematic life was filled with encounters with political figures and world leaders and friendships with writers like Mario Vargas Llosa and his son Alvaro Vargas Llosa, and Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza.
—Sarah Moreno
february 4, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026
In fact, a University of Chicago analysis found that departments using bodycams saw a 10% drop in all use-of-force encounters.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Days later, the administration removed Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, who was often present at violent encounters with protesters and arrests of immigrants.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
Skunks looking for love are on the move in California, raising the risk of unwelcome encounters for humans.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Between the care provided at The Beehive, its street medicine work and a new respite care facility not yet fully operational, Care Beyond the Boulevard served more than 3,400 patients through about 17,000 encounters in 2025.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
This framing effectively provides a rationale for ignoring officers’ commands during field encounters.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Many people envision salary discussions as adversarial encounters with winners and losers.
—Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
This lion was traveling a circuitous route from mountains to foothills to backyards and front yards, navigating urban sprawl but avoiding encounters with people.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounters
Verb
-
Dominic Sessa appears as her 24-year-old attorney, Kevin Eggers — while Ariana DeBose, Demi Lovato, and Octavia Spencer play women Amanda meets at a local shelter.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The class meets Monday nights for nearly three hours, which is a lot, even if your teacher is a high-profile coach who brings good guest speakers to class.—
Kevin Sherrington
Feb. 4,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a situation where a company finds substantiated evidence of either type of violation carried out by an indirect supplier, they are mandated to perform an ad hoc risk assessment of that body, too.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Hearts are on course to upend the Old Firm duopoly that has held since 1985 — leading Celtic and Rangers by six points with 14 games remaining — and Wilson finds himself behind Pierre Kabore, Elton Kabangu, Claudio Braga and new signing Rogers Mato in the pecking order.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon returning, the couple faces threatening neighbors and uncovers dark neighborhood secrets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These were not skirmishes but full-scale conflicts, usually costing tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of lives.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The tactics of federal immigration agents have come under intense scrutiny after the shooting of Good and growing skirmishes between federal officers and protesters.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In one clip, Trump confronts Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, in the Oval Office during his first term.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Kim follows Folt — who joined USC’s faculty in July after six years at the helm — and confronts challenging terrain at USC and in higher education.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Doing so would delay response times to medical emergencies, fights, suicide attempts and fires.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Most of Szalay’s fights end by decision, and neither man has ever been finished by strikes.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These backroads teach a different rhythm — the wonders of going the long way, of stopping when something catches your eye, of noticing beauty that doesn’t shout for attention.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
All told, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Shaheed, 27, who also catches passes and runs reverses, had a big say in Seattle’s two extra-large wins over the Rams.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To wit, lymphatic brushes join the ranks of depuffing tools like gua shas, face rollers, and dry brushes; most working to stimulate lymphatic drainage, your body’s natural detoxification process.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As disarming as Rockwell is with his wry balance of doofus, savant and wiseass, and as capable as Verbinski is at keeping the brushes with death coming at a sustained pace, the movie feels most original in its flashbacks.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounters. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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