eyeball-to-eyeball

adverb

ˈī-ˌbȯl-tü-ˈī-ˌbȯl How to pronounce eyeball-to-eyeball (audio)
Definition of eyeball-to-eyeballnext
as in one-on-one
in direct confrontation or competition that inexperienced, upstart candidate will be going eyeball-to-eyeball with a senator who's a skilled debater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eyeball-to-eyeball
  1. face-to-face
  2. head-to-head
  3. head-on
Adverb
  • That puts additional weight on the value of the face-to-face interview — one of the last remaining stages of the hiring process that can’t be automated.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026
  • Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey, includes horror scenes in which the Greek hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his men come face-to-face with a cyclops, as well as the witch Circe (Samantha Morton), in a moment that embodies body horror.
    — Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of face-to-face
Adverb
  • Two of the defending champions — Marist and Jefferson — will go head-to-head in Class 5A this year after Jefferson moved up one level during the GHSA’s most recent reclassification.
    — Chip Saye, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
  • Yet few studies have pitted them against each other — and this summer brought a high-profile head-to-head.
    — Katie Palmer, STAT, 29 July 2026
Definition of head-to-head
Adverb
  • Whichever the case, the stuff needs to be dealt with head-on, and there’s no better time to do so than in the present.
    — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026
  • Volvo shared some new crash footage with Popular Science, showing how their design choices protect drivers even during head-on moose collisions.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026
Definition of head-on
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

eye
eyeball-to-eyeball
eyeblink
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eyeball-to-eyeball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eyeball-to-eyeball. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All