face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf How to pronounce face-off (audio)
Definition of face-offnext
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

face off

2 of 2

verb

as in to compete
to engage in a contest eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of face-off
Noun
With both teams in desperate need of a win, today's match is bound to be another thrilling World Cup face-off. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 June 2026 The game followed a championship series filled with down-to-the-wire face-offs won by edge-of-your-seat buzzer beaters. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 June 2026
Verb
Senate District 34 In this open contest, former Placentia Mayor Rhonda Shader and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia will face off for California’s 34th Senate District. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 But not today, not here, at the historic stadium where their Three Lions would face off with the hometown team in the most hostile conditions imaginable. — Albert Samaha, Washington Post, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
  1. rivalry
  2. compete
  3. battle
  4. contend
  5. duel
  6. race
  7. competition
  8. confrontation
Noun
  • The TikTok edits, the outfit identification threads, the contestant rivalries trending on X by the end of an episode, all of it turns 60 minutes of passive viewing into a multi-platform conversation that runs all week.
    — Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Rattín’s defiant gesture at Wembley also marked the beginning of the football rivalry between Argentina and England.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • The actor competed in the Penn Relays in 1988 as part of a 4x800 relay team.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • The main studio is Room 1, and all the contestants start there, competing to accurately count the grains in a bag of rice.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • There have been naval battles and beheadings and aerial battles and, well, more beheadings.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 6 July 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Prosecutors contend the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law.
    — Hannah Schoenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Cardwell has anchored the defense for a team that could contend for its second Summer League championship in six years after winning the tournament in 2021.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Shires accepted the duel, and in late January 1860, the two men met at the Cornwall Assembly Room in Launceston, Tasmania.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • Solid performances from the supporting cast include Lucas Prizant as Hamlet’s loyal friend, Horatio, and Brenna DiStasio as Laertes, his opponent in the finale’s fateful duel.
    — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of duel
Verb
  • When White Sox starter Davis Martin threw a wild pitch during Contreras’ at-bat, Seigler broke for home as catcher Kyle Teel raced to corral the ball and back, hoping to beat the runner to the plate.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026
  • However, Tolbert raced over and made a leaping catch to negate extra bases.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • There are more moments to come, with SoFi Stadium slated to host Super Bowl LXI in February and then, in 2028, to stage the Olympic Opening Ceremony and the Olympic swimming competition.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • He was appointed for that competition’s 2022 final, having taken charge of the Europa League final a year earlier.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • The confrontation was captured in a now viral video shared on social media on Monday.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 13 July 2026
  • Police said officers witnessed no violence during the confrontation, but said the tour group’s leader was warned he could be arrested.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 11 July 2026
Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

facelift
face-off
face off
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Cite this Entry

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on face-off

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about face-off

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