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

Continue reading … EMPIRE STATE BOUT — Most fiery moments from Lawler's face-off against Dem in race for control of Congress. — FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Her father, Ravi Shankar, wasn’t up for any Grammys that year, avoiding a family face-off. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

The San Francisco team will face off against the Atlanta Dream in game four of the Finals this afternoon. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Lewis George defeated moderate Democrat Kenyan McDuffie in the June Democratic primary and will face off against independent and Green Party candidates in November in an election that is all but decided in the overwhelmingly Democratic city. — Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

Noun

The dispute also revives a bitter rivalry with Placer County Supervisor Shanti Landon, who defeated Andreatta in the June primary.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
This season sees the historic rivalry move to Atlanta for the first time in series history.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

The competing signals leave the region facing an uncertain military outlook.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Although the businesses competed in different contests, their recognition highlights the support local establishments can receive from their communities.

— CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of compete

Noun

The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.

— Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Trump has used the campaign trail to defend the Iran war, contending Tehran’s regime cannot have a nuclear weapon.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
The students challenge that interpretation, contending that the university has not established that their individual statements constituted legally unprotected threats or caused the level of disruption required to justify punishment.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

The pair had previously engaged in a quarterback duel that lasted well into fall camp, so Florida remained confident in its backup.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Her biggest liberty is a duel between Herbert Nordrum’s Colonel Brandon and Frank Dillane’s John Willoughby, which Austen mentions but keeps offstage.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of duel

Verb

While robot dogs feel like old news now, setting them the challenge of racing up more than 3,000 uneven stone steps on the side of a mountain is more than just to show off what machines with legs can do.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
The researchers notified the PHP Foundation, which released patches to fix the bugs—but companies still must race to update their websites before any hackers break into them.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of race

Noun

In the luxury market, lines like Seabourn (with its first expedition vessel, Seabourn Venture) and Scenic are the main competition for all-suite accommodations.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Its upcoming industry competition should provide a clearer picture of the technologies developers can bring to the program.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Whether those negotiations can prevent another major confrontation remains unclear.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
The designation could expose individuals accused of working with MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law and heighten the risk of military confrontation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

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 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

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