face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf How to pronounce face-off (audio)
Definition of face-offnext
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
As the train doors were about to close, the pair exited the train, facing off against each other, and the assailant punched the victim in the face. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 Embattled Central Florida Congressman Cory Mills faced off in a fiery primary debate with three fellow Republicans Wednesday evening, in which the political issues were largely overshadowed by his many controversies. — Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
  1. rivalry
  2. compete
  3. battle
  4. contend
  5. duel
  6. race
  7. competition
  8. confrontation
Noun
  • Houthis’ allies The Houthis are backed by Iran, which began increasing its aid to the group in 2014 as the civil war escalated and as its rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensified.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Alongside the central Yash roles, the trailer introduces Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi, each positioned within a web of relationships and rivalries that define the ensemble narrative.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • No two competing baseball executives live so close to each other, or are able to meet up and share war stories about their owners, players or the local media.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Via a points system, entrants will not only compete for prize money in individual races but also vie for a $5 million prize pool divided up based on the series’ final standings.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • Even now, weeks into efforts to battle misinformation, some residents hold mistaken views of the outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • This was the first indication that Fred Johnson actually has the edge in the swing tackle battle.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Elsewhere, though, pundits contend that these voters are rejecting socialism and its candidates, as in last year’s party primary for New York City mayor, when then-candidate Zohran Mamdani lost Black communities by wide margins.
    — Theodore R. Johnson, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Football season is back in South Florida as both the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes have opened training camp, giving fans an early look at teams hoping to contend in the NFL and college football this fall.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Rookie right-hander Walbert Ureña won the duel against Milwaukee Brewers sensation Jacob Misiorowski in the Angels’ 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games.
    — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026
Definition of duel
Verb
  • The administration is racing to get a handle on an almost entirely unregulated industry – one that’s advancing at breathtaking speed.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Owen Caissie, who had walked, raced to third and scored on Joe Mack's groundout.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • After two jittery routines to start her competition, Claire triumphed with a stick to rocket ahead of Blakely and Carey.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • No away team had won in the previous 14 meetings between the clubs across all competitions.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • On Memorial Day, 1927, when Fred was twenty-one, he was arrested for refusing to disperse during a violent confrontation between police and a band of white-hooded Klansmen in Queens; he was released shortly after.
    — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Tyrell Scott was stabbed in the chest during a confrontation on Riverdale Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

facelift
face-off
face off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on face-off

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about face-off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All