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
Julia Mueller, The Hill, 21 June 2025
Seth Meyers recalls a face-off between longtime lighting director Phil Hymes and Thornton when Thornton hosted in 2001.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
The entire crew comes together to face off against a rival gang led by Johnny Tran (Rick Yune).
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
But when Trump responded to protests this month over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids by sending in hundreds of National Guard troops against Newsom’s objections, the governor embraced the face-off.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 21 June 2025
Seth Meyers recalls a face-off between longtime lighting director Phil Hymes and Thornton when Thornton hosted in 2001.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
Venus and Mars face off with the North Node of Fate and the South Node of Karma from July 20 to July 21.
—Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 24 June 2025
The entire crew comes together to face off against a rival gang led by Johnny Tran (Rick Yune).
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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The Wolf Pack have fallen behind in the Mountain West in recent years, and are staying in the conference while others head to the Pac-12, so that rivalry flame is dying.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Canada in particular has used legislation to compel foreign digital platforms to hand over cash to help local producers compete against Hollywood by directly subsidizing local content.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
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The strategic approach of acquiring both brand equity and production capabilities positioned Hershey to compete more effectively against established salty snack manufacturers while maintaining the agility of an emerging player in the category.—
Shelley E. Kohan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Hill contends the Bills are afraid to cover him man-to-man.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
23 June 2025
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As strangers moments prior, the men had both been nervous that each another might be contending for the same lots, and one of them scooted to a seat farther away to ease the tension.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
23 June 2025
Noun
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In 2025, that efficiency narrative hit center stage: the NBA Finals featured a dramatic and entertaining duel between two small market NBA teams.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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However, the Pirates-Brewers game features one of the best the pitchers duels of the year with Paul Skenes going up against Jacob Misiorowski.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Their photos still hang on the dining room wall, along with those of sports stars, racing drivers and other celebrities who found their way to Ponder.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
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But Kosinski elevates that journey by capturing racing in all of its gorgeous, peculiar glory—there’s never been a portrait of Formula One quite like it.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2025
Noun
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This sort of multidisciplinary excellence is rare for Olympic competition; athletes are by necessity ultra specialized.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
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Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images Amazon’s second batch of Kuiper internet satellites reached low Earth orbit on Monday, adding to its plans for a massive constellation and ramping up competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Video of the meeting showed the confrontation began during a confusing moment in the session.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
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Reactive dogs deserve patience and distance, not judgment or confrontation.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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