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
Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Centres come at a significant premium cost, and there’s a fair bit of regard for Hayton around the industry given his versatility, face-off winning ability, power-play utility and doggedness.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Both are Democrats and will face off in the March 3 primary.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
Forward Kelly Pannek, moving with the puck behind the goal, found defenseman Cayla Barles alone on the right face-off circle.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Centres come at a significant premium cost, and there’s a fair bit of regard for Hayton around the industry given his versatility, face-off winning ability, power-play utility and doggedness.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Richard faced off against former Gators teammate and other half of the starting backcourt for the 2025 NCAA champions in Walter Clayton Jr.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Both are Democrats and will face off in the March 3 primary.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
-
Does this sort of thing not allow narratives to develop, rivalries to grow, entertaining animus to fester?—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The heated rivalry between the Pentagon and Anthropic just hit a new horizon Friday.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There have been two competing bipartisan housing bills — the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act and the House’s Housing for the 21st Century Act.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Mar. 2026
-
More than 8,000 athletes competed across the four events in 2025, and Little Rock Marathon Race Director Geneva Lamm says there are more than 12,000 registered for this year's festivities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The program currently remains in another legal battle, with people able to renew their status but no new applications accepted.—
Mathew Miranda
February 26,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The battle pitted Ellison against Netflix, the industry’s biggest and most important player.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Broward is the bluest county in the state, though DeNapoli contends his city is more supportive of the president than the rest of the county.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit contends the district’s approach crosses a legal line.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Lightning entered on a 22-game winning streak, focused on defense and led by a senior point guard worthy of a duel against the Knights’ star point guard.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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Enter James Austin Johnson who’s up for a challenge and the two engage in an accent duel in a Western-style showdown.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tech companies are racing to predict whether AI’s popularity will result in a new hit product, similar to how the internet laid the foundation for the smartphone.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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Newcastle raced to a 12-0 lead with tries from Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe, before the Cowboys rallied after Heilum Luki and Murray Taulagi scored to level at 12-12 at half time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nearly 8,000 images from around the world were submitted for the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 competition.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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Like other agencies that have slowly become agents in partisan political battles, the FCC continues to function as a prop rather than as a technocratic regulator focused on infrastructure, competition, and connectivity.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Police who investigated the shooting said Randall and another man argued before the confrontation escalated into gunfire.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
At least nine people were killed in confrontations with security forces.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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