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

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

The Buckeyes and Longhorns face off for the third straight season in a matchup of national title contenders. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 Aryna Sabalenka vies for a three-peat with another women’s singles championship title, while Americans Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton face off in the semifinals of the final Grand Slam of the tennis season. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

Noun

With the league’s expansion to Denver, Columbus, and possibly Cincinnati, such regional rivalries should only expand.

— PJ Green September 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
College football has gone national, abandoning regional affinities and local rivalries.

— Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

Ellison argues Paramount needs to bulk up to compete against digital titans Netflix, Amazon and Apple, as well as Disney.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
And the money-making opportunities that message could fuel, well—half of us are eligible to compete in such an event.

— Valerie Monroe, Allure, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of compete

Noun

There will be recruiting battles and NIL headaches and portal defections and angry message boards and all the other insanity that comes with coaching at a place where fans consider 9-3 an average record rather than an accomplishment.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
The White Sox, meanwhile, are in a neck-and-neck battle with the Cleveland Guardians for the American League Central crown.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

Ahead of the legal arguments, most experts contend that Missouri likely will not use the gerrymandered map in November and instead conduct the election using a map lawmakers passed in 2022.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
Penn State regularly contended for New Year’s Six bowls but lost the close, important games so often that fans braced for heartbreak.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

The fans in Auburn, Alabama, came out, leaning from ramps and peeking from tents to catch a glimpse of their new administrations, each in their first SEC duel of the year.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
Mahomes and Travis Kelce this season are set to appear in at least 10 national windows, including the inevitable duel with Allen and the Bills on Thanksgiving night.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

On September 18, the family of four attended an event for Athlos, Ohanian’s women-only track and field competition.

— Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026
Related The upcoming installment of mystery competition show revealed the news in a video theatrically narrated by host Alan Cumming.

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

The final confrontation unfolded in darkness early Monday, when deputies exchanged gunfire with Spencer for more than two hours before he was killed, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026
The confrontation began Friday after a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a mosque, and gunmen stormed the facility, killing 21 people and wounding 103 others.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

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