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

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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

After a contentious Republican runoff in Georgia, the stage is set for a major face-off that will be watched by the nation. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 June 2026 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

Verb

France plays Spain today in Dallas in the first semi, while England and Argentina face off on Wednesday in Atlanta. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 July 2026 The World Cup final, which will see either England or Argentina face off against either France or Spain, has already lined up a megawatt halftime show that includes Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira and Madonna. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

Noun

The rivalry has seemingly extended beyond Brazil vs Argentina to Ronaldo vs Messi, too.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 July 2026
But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Other buildings sell themselves as a good value, vying to compete by offering solid workplace digs for the right price.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
The amateur tournament has become a phenomenon in China, attracting millions of spectators across the country – and making for a colorful alternative to the World Cup that hasn’t seen a Chinese men’s national team compete for more than two decades.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of compete

Noun

The war’s new weapon What began as a ground war has evolved into a battle increasingly fought from the air.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
The battle harks back to the January 2025 Eaton fire which spread toxic ash over swaths of Altadena and Pasadena.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

On the northern portion, the Assessor’s Office contended that a private lake was complete, and the Moyles had put in infrastructure improvements, such as a residential road, sidewalks and electrical boxes.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026
But Mayo contended that the more important development this quarter might be happening away from Wall Street.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

While Sunday afternoon’s anticipated pitching duel turned into a laugher of a loss for the Yankees, the day’s second game starved them and the Dodgers for offense despite both teams throwing a bullpen game.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
Calm on the ball, Rodri is a ferocious monster off it, hoovering up second balls with his sharp anticipation and brushing opponents aside in duels with his imposing physicality.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of duel

Verb

Moments later the Tesla Model 3 raced down a residential street in Katy, Texas, at highway speeds, slammed into a brick home and killed a 76-year-old woman standing in the front room.

— Bernard Condon, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Jordan Cvetanovski, chairman and chief investment officer at Pella Funds, said demand for AI infrastructure remains strong as companies race to build computing capacity, but signs of speculative excess are beginning to emerge.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of race

Noun

Any restrictions on player registration would not apply to the Premier League, but UEFA does have the power to limit whom Newcastle can name in a ‘List A’ squad for European competitions.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Griffin and Mahony first heard about the Canberra competition just after their wedding.

— Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The union’s policy, as conveyed to The Athletic, is not to create any apparel that features a confrontation between members of the union.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Backstage, a chaotic confrontation over a briefcase between Judgment Day, Danhausen, and Joe Hendry led to Oba Femi's dominant victory over JD McDonagh.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of confrontation

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facelift

face-off

face off

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“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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