FACE-OFF Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf

Definition of face-off

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

face off

2 of 2

verb

as in to compete

to engage in a contest eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Noun

Messi began the face-off yesterday by scoring twice at lunchtime in Dallas, but Mbappe and Haaland appeared to see that as a personal affront, matching him as the sun set in Philadelphia and New Jersey. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026 After a contentious Republican runoff in Georgia, the stage is set for a major face-off that will be watched by the nation. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Verb

Watch the the Dodgers face off against the Braves on Thursday, August 27, at Cosm. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Rogers and el Sayed are expected to face off in a tight primary race, with initial polls fluctuating between the two candidates in single-digit margins. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

Noun

At least until kick-off, club rivalry will be set aside; there will be northern English empathy.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Week 1 is full of national showdowns and nonregion rivalries.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Verb

March 21 – April 19 The deadline competing with a relationship promise may need an honest update.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
From the end of August through mid-September, the world’s greatest tennis players will convene in Queens, New York, to compete in the Grand Slam tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of compete

Noun

The twin springs that gave the Revolutionary War battle its name are no more, inundated by the 1940s project that flooded the Santee River basin for hydroelectric power and flood control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Outrageousness seems to be the point of these battles, which have no apparent criteria, judges, or rules.

— Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of battle

Verb

In reality, Loesby contends, many struggles reflect predictable structural mismatches — a lawyer who prefers depth and analysis struggling in a role that rewards constant responsiveness, or one who thrives on collaboration disengaging in isolation.

— Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
The states also contend that requiring them to identify mail voters to USPS violates federal privacy protections governing records of individuals’ First Amendment activity.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of contend

Noun

Martinez and former Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz were locked in a scoreless pitching duel until the sixth, when the Rays went up 3-0 after Baz got two straight outs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Back in the Premier League after nearly a decade away, Hull won 50 duels, on the ground and in the air, to United’s 35.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of duel

Verb

Dustin Arnold, were racing as fast as 120 mph in order to get to the scene.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
In the span of less than a week this July, surgeons at a Southern California hospital raced to save the lives of two women suffering from alarmingly similar brain hemorrhages.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of race

Noun

Combined with recent updates across several companies in the AI industry, the AI competition appears to have entered a new phase centered on cost-efficiency.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Horse racing revenue in Illinois had been dwindling for years due to competition from casinos, the lottery, and video and sports gambling.

— Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

Bond and Best had been in a brief confrontation earlier in the evening, while talking to the same woman near the intersection of Tyson and Battle streets, officials say.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026
Along with their production crew, who went ahead to test internet connections, meet locals, and scout each stop, Al-Emad and Andrijasevic were less concerned with manufacturing confrontations than letting local people show them around.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

facelift

face-off

face off

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on face-off

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

illustrious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes