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
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
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Cincinnati Cyclones' first face-off Hockey season is here.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
When Mercury and Uranus retrograde face off across the sky, the result is purely cerebral and quite electric.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
For Cuomo the stakes of the face-off were especially high.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Cincinnati Cyclones' first face-off Hockey season is here.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Two childhood friends now must face off from opposite sides – Sam, the daughter of a poor single mother scraping toward a better life in Grand Central, and Ari, a Lumines prodigy.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
When Mercury and Uranus retrograde face off across the sky, the result is purely cerebral and quite electric.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
-
Elizabeth’s determination not to settle the succession gave rise to fierce rivalry between the claimants to the English throne, among them Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James VI; James’s cousin Arbella Stuart; Lady Katherine Grey and her descendants; and Henry Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Spurs were inept and disjointed on Saturday, losing 1-0 against Chelsea in a rivalry the club don’t tolerate losing easily.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Smith, who double majored in statistics and computer science, previously competed on the women’s swimming and diving team.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The last American to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport was Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams for nearly two years before the team replaced him.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As soon as a battle or a war has been fought, victors and losers alike begin to tell different stories.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Linked by the fire, a cashier, fire-fighter, district attorney and student battle to prevent tragedy, the blaze’s consequences still roiling two decades later.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a lawsuit filed in the Business Court of Texas, the Mavericks contend they should be recognized as the sole owner of Center Operating Company because of an alleged breach by the Stars.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
That will be followed by Study 02 next year featuring different hardware using stainless steel with 18-karat gold plating sourced from China, where Canadas contended hardware technology surpasses European alternatives.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The return from injury of Gravenberch, who won six of his eight duels, was another welcome sight, along with Alexis Mac Allister completing 90 minutes for Liverpool for the first time since April.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Much like the classic Tom Brady-Peyton Manning duels of old, the quarterback matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — the two current MVP frontrunners — is can’t-miss television.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, the company announced capital investments would increase by $10 billion this year, a common theme as tech companies race to scale AI infrastructure.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The trial would address 23XI and Front Row’s contention that NASCAR uses monopoly power to suppress competition in its procurement of services provided by racing teams.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Still, experts say there are additional challenges to ensure that insurance plans and other health care economics allow for investment into biosimilars and create competition as intended.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The eight minor passengers on board, ranging in ages from 13 to 16, are members of a judo club (a Japanese martial art) from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and were traveling back from a global sports camp and competition held in Azerbaijan.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, the saga unearths new layers in the second season as Natalia shares her harrowing experiences with her adoptive parents and has a face-to-face confrontation with Michael.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
No one was injured during the confrontation, police said.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share