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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Recent Examples of face-off
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
The video, currently making the rounds on social media, features Gunn and Corenswet having an impassioned discussion on set about Superman's motivation during the film's climactic speech and face-off between Superman and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The Queens assemblyman will face off against Adams and Cuomo, who are both running on independent tickets, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
—ABC News, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
The highly anticipated face-off on American soil lasted over three hours as White House aides and long-term diplomats from Moscow led bilateral discussions at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Aug. 2025
The video, currently making the rounds on social media, features Gunn and Corenswet having an impassioned discussion on set about Superman's motivation during the film's climactic speech and face-off between Superman and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
For a weekend, more than two hundred and sixty competitors from fifty-eight countries would face off in nine categories, including Swedish, Thai, chair, and Eastern- and Western-freestyle massage.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
The Queens assemblyman will face off against Adams and Cuomo, who are both running on independent tickets, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
—ABC News, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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The rivalry itself has been tight.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Djokovic ultimately emerged as the third man, which enriched the dynamic and added layers, creating three rivalries where previously there had been one.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Drennan, 43, grew up helping his brothers and uncles build derby cars and later competed in a few derbies himself.—
Sean Clancy,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
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Masino argued the company needed to update its image, menu and restaurants to compete in a difficult environment.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When a person is gravely ill, they’re often forced to fight two battles, one against their sickness and the other against the insurance company.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The administration contends the law is unconstitutional, asserting an expansive view of presidential power that could prompt the Supreme Court to overturn what remains of its 90-year-old precedent upholding such removal protections.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Sunday having lost seven of their last eight games against non-contending teams.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 27-year-old is technical, strong in duels, has a great engine to move up and down the pitch, a good ball progresser and reader of the game.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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After Fairview won 35-30 in a duel last fall, the two programs from the northwest quadrant of the metro delivered another intriguing bout in 2025.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Thousands of residents were evacuated as the flames raced up the Santa Ana Mountains, cresting and driving straight toward the Lake Elsinore area, burning cabins in the Cleveland National Forest’s Holy Jim Canyon and then homes in the El Cariso Village neighborhood.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
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With California poised to become the first state to formally regulate microplastics in consumer products, many brands and retailers are racing to evaluate their value chains in anticipation of significant operational shifts.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The fourth season will be played from June 18-July 18, 2026, the preferred slot in the calendar for MLC with not much competition from other domestic leagues.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The number of local homes put up for sale soared, boosting competition among sellers.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Direct confrontation during an emotional high can intensify instability.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Camarillo, the Standard professor, argued that the confrontations highlight how enforcement priorities have shifted.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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