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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
James O'Connell, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
The actor also muses on Cap's relationship with Yancy, his face-off with Austin Water and Power, and more.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
McGregor nearly returned in 2024 to finally face off against Chandler, but things went off the rails.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
Property of the week: Exceptional CT colonial on cul-de-sac
CT face-off unfolding on taxes.
—James O'Connell, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
The actor also muses on Cap's relationship with Yancy, his face-off with Austin Water and Power, and more.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
As shown in the new trailer, Atsu will have to do just that, facing off with fearsome foes while traveling through both lush blue fields of flowers and rocky, mountainous terrain.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
McGregor nearly returned in 2024 to finally face off against Chandler, but things went off the rails.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
-
She is locked in a bitter rivalry with the Bears, whose growing presence and destructive ways threaten the land she is sworn to protect, by any means necessary.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
-
While their rivalry has had plenty of back-and-forth, this match may be the easiest to predict.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Verb
-
With Rakhmonov unable to compete at UFC 314, the UFC opted to book Muhammad against Della Maddalena in Montreal.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
-
The individual must also no longer be competing in any professional sports league, per nomination documentation.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
As the battle for Champions League football hots up, Nottingham Forest have a must-win game against their local rivals Leicester City, having taken just seven points from their last six Premier League games.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
8 May 2025
-
As soon as hot weather sets in, chickweed begins to slow its growth, often dying out by midsummer, but don’t think the battle is won.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
Supporters contend the act is meant to encourage development of affordable housing, but critics insist that’s misleading.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Trump, Zelenskyy meet privately ahead of pope's funeral At the time, Zelenskyy contended the Russian president needed stronger pushback from Ukraine's allies.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Outside of two walks to Marcell Ozuna — who won an 11-pitch battle in the first inning, and a six-pitch duel in the fourth — the Braves mustered nothing until a two-out double by Austin Riley in the sixth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
-
Konsa, in the eyes of many, was fortunate on Saturday when referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free kick in his favour following a duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta during Villa’s FA Cup semi-final defeat against Crystal Palace.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
China, in particular, is racing to close the gap by pouring state investment into its universities.—
Sarah Kreps,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Policymakers have been racing to address the decline in production work following a series of major disruptions: the COVID-19 pandemic, the dual 2023 strikes in entertainment and the larger contraction in the industry.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Stellantis’s European operation is a weak-looking target for new Chinese competition.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Forest, who won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough, last featured in Europe’s premier competition in 1980-81.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
The confrontation between Antetokounmpo and Haliburton’s dad overshadowed what was a thrilling game on Tuesday.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The confrontation occurred near North Waziristan, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, along the volatile Afghan border.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share