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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of face-off
Julia Mueller, The Hill, 21 June 2025
Seth Meyers recalls a face-off between longtime lighting director Phil Hymes and Thornton when Thornton hosted in 2001.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
The entire crew comes together to face off against a rival gang led by Johnny Tran (Rick Yune).
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
But when Trump responded to protests this month over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids by sending in hundreds of National Guard troops against Newsom’s objections, the governor embraced the face-off.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 21 June 2025
Seth Meyers recalls a face-off between longtime lighting director Phil Hymes and Thornton when Thornton hosted in 2001.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
Venus and Mars face off with the North Node of Fate and the South Node of Karma from July 20 to July 21.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
The entire crew comes together to face off against a rival gang led by Johnny Tran (Rick Yune).
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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In the final, Waters renewed her years-long rivalry against her former doubles partner and won with ease 6,1.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Right now, governments and organizations are developing competing standards and platforms, and without alignment, fragmentation could slow progress.—
Steven Smith,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Diogo Jota’s minutes would take a hit should Wirtz cement his place there, while Diaz would return to primarily competing for the starting left wing role with Cody Gakpo.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
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After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Hill contends the Bills are afraid to cover him man-to-man.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
23 June 2025
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As strangers moments prior, the men had both been nervous that each another might be contending for the same lots, and one of them scooted to a seat farther away to ease the tension.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Here, Koulibaly chips the ball towards Lodi… … and Alexander-Arnold is in position to contest the aerial duel.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Pitchers Danny Wallace and Ryan Papa combined to allow just one run on six hits in the duel with Wunsch.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Investigators raced to check jail phone logs to see who might have known ahead of time.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
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Once Angelo, of all people, eventually drafted Forte in the second round, Baratz raced to the offices of his colleagues, throwing his hands to the sky.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
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Compete for Causes, the local group that pairs fitness and fundraising with its charity fitness competitions, recently made a $32,200 contribution to Father Joe’s Villages.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
Noun
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The escalating rhetoric signals the deepening rift between Tehran and Washington, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation that could draw in U.S. forces and further destabilize the Middle East.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
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In the No Kings protests, many of the episodes of confrontation between journalists and law enforcement have played out in real time on cable television or social media.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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