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

The agent encounters its own limitations, its own failure modes, its own unexpected strengths. — John Werner, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The players in this year’s final will all know each other well from La Liga encounters — 24 of the 52 across both squads feature for Spanish clubs (18 for Spain and six for Argentina). — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026

In Homer’s epic, Circe is one of several powerful women Odysseus encounters — and eventually sleeps with — during his journey home. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026

Over the course of 22 episodes, the Doomies crew encounters vampires, parasitic demons, vicious mermaids, and some spirits specific to French folklore, all rendered as real threats towards our heroes. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

But the keys can also flash amber when Codex requires feedback or a decision from a human operator and red when a thread encounters an error, letting users know at a glance which of their Codex tasks needs immediate attention. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026

The film tells the story of Rita (Coon), a woman in midlife haunted by the weight of her past, encounters magnetic young spiritual leader Ricki (James) and leaves her family to follow her to an all-female commune. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 July 2026

Along the way, our hero encounters the sorceress Circe, who turns his companions into pigs; makes a descent into Hades; fights the song of the sirens; and survives the island of the nymph Calypso. — Valentina Colosimo, Vanity Fair, 14 July 2026

Bar Tab Taran Dugal encounters spirits steps from Green-Wood Cemetery. — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

Noun

Hundreds of entries list interviews, flattering articles, celebrity encounters, and awards. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2026

However, the evidence amassed so far strongly suggests that bird encounters improve human lives. — The Conversation, Fortune, 27 July 2026

From Australia to Fiji, these dive destinations offer unforgettable shark encounters while supporting marine conservation. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 26 July 2026

The increase in encounters has also sparked debate among Lake Tahoe residents over whether bears or people are driving the problem. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026

Private cultural experiences, exclusive access, seasonal culinary events, and authentic local encounters become easier to arrange, allowing travelers to experience destinations in ways that feel both effortless and deeply personal. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 July 2026

And while this author might be hung up on the obstacles Odysseus encounters, his travels are not without pleasure and thrill. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Viewers who follow the company’s commercials are likely to have new encounters with the LiMu Emu – and Doug. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 July 2026

Local police routinely receive extensive instruction in traffic stops, neighborhood patrol, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and managing unpredictable encounters with the public. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026