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
Matthew Herper, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
So, the post-production team added a gunshot to Cashman and Blake’s final face-off.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Big Think, 8 May 2026
Kambli will face off against veteran Washington attorneys Paul Clement and Abbe Lowell, both of whom are representing challengers to the administration’s actions.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
Then came the call that set up a face-off between the government and industry.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
So, the post-production team added a gunshot to Cashman and Blake’s final face-off.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The battle cry is sounded; the mongooses face off shoulder to shoulder.
—Big Think, 8 May 2026
Kambli will face off against veteran Washington attorneys Paul Clement and Abbe Lowell, both of whom are representing challengers to the administration’s actions.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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But their rivalry continued as Zayn got back at Williams by dressing up as the gingerbread man and attacking the champion.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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While the Irish and Trojans will miss each other on the field, the rivalry has now turned sibling style with the younger Tuihalamaka picking the Trojans.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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But please remember – this team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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And Joly’s ability to stick in Denver and compete with Engram in camp will ultimately come down to Payton’s trust in Joly as a blocker, as Engram was on the field in a blocking role for just 18% of his snaps in 2025.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Decades-long legal battle The Supreme Court decision to overturn Glossip’s conviction and death sentence last year marked a major turning point in his decades-long legal battle.—
Linh Tran,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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But the frenzied redistricting battle of the past few months — including a congressional map in his home state thrown out by a court after people voted to approve it, and certain elections postponed in Louisiana and Alabama after mail ballots already went out — has done it.—
Miles Parks,
NPR,
14 May 2026
Verb
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With his plans to cap his college partners at 30, Davis contends that those that spurned Avo’s advances will eventually come to regret it.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
12 May 2026
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Republican officials contend the new districts can be suspended only after Hoskins determines the petition meets constitutional requirements and has enough valid signatures.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Game 1 on Thursday at Byron Nelson High School was a pitchers duel won by the Bobcats 3-2.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 May 2026
Verb
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After racing across the state to collect signatures, that campaign, called People Not Politicians, last year turned in more than 300,000 signatures to force a statewide vote on the map in November.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
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As the drivers raced into Turn 1, a handful of drivers were caught up in a spin.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The Browns are expected to hold a quarterback competition in training camp among Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel, with rookie Taylen Green selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Critics portray the movement as politically motivated, but many athletes and parents involved insist their concerns center on competition rather than ideology.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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When the dispute moved to the parking lot, witnesses said Hearne threw the first punch, and videos circulating online appeared to show the confrontation.—
JJ Velasquez,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 May 2026
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Two Montrose Police Department officers shot an armed man in a confrontation Saturday afternoon, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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