FACE OFF Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf

Definition of face-off

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

Our Avengers assemble for one final face-off against Thanos, bringing some heroes’ stories to a close and teasing others that are just beginning. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 For national tournaments, the corollary is how poorer countries always have to match up against richer ones for regional face-offs and qualifiers that culminate in the quadrennial dream that is the World Cup. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Verb

Attorney Ron Schutz is facing off against current Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. — Esme Murphy, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 Bring a cozy blanket to watch Rumi, Mira and Zoey face off against the Saja Boys — and discover that good and bad aren’t always so clear-cut. — Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

Noun

Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel, who ripped off their rivalry bit from Fred Allen and Jack Benny!

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
At least for one day, one of the league’s great rivalries returns — with Kansas City remaining undefeated into its early bye.

— Pete Sweeney October 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Concerns about military readiness, workforce shortages, rising health care costs, affordability, and America’s ability to compete in an increasingly challenging world seem to play on a loop without any sign of progress.

— Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Taurus April 20 – May 20 Your need for comfort may compete with someone else’s desire for greater closeness.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of compete

Noun

Chinese media reported that PLA forces deployed Type 99A main battle tanks alongside drones, uncrewed ground vehicles and helicopters.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Alabama and Mississippi State battle, and Underdog is offering new users a chance to use promo code FOXNEWS to earn up to $100 in bonus bets on a $5 wager.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Georgia Power is adding an unprecedented amount of new electricity to its power grid, much of which will come from gas plants, which critics contend will produce more planet-warming greenhouse gases.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 30 Sep. 2026
The color line As in Germany, historians contend that Southern Jews who wanted reforms, which wound up making worship more similar to a Protestant service, were responding to the overwhelmingly Christian makeup of the society around them.

— Ashley Walters, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

And in the second half, the game turned into a duel between standout QBs each making his sixth college start.

— PJ Green September 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Othani, who has won four MVP awards in five seasons, including one with the Los Angeles Angels, was considered the MVP front-runner most of the season, until the duel in the sun changed things.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Decisions about industrial policy, infrastructure, public spending, and competition increasingly have to account not only for emissions but climate risk.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
But could Cruise use his movie star promotion power to get himself into the best-actor Oscar competition, despite the film suffering from tepid reviews and a possibly paltry box office?

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

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facelift

face-off

face off

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Style

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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