FACE-OFFS Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

face-offs

noun

plural of face-off

as in rivalries

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

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-offs For national tournaments, the corollary is how poorer countries always have to match up against richer ones for regional face-offs and qualifiers that culminate in the quadrennial dream that is the World Cup. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 The game followed a championship series filled with down-to-the-wire face-offs won by edge-of-your-seat buzzer beaters. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 June 2026 The plan is for the star forward to take face-offs again. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 The film’s centerpieces are the face-offs between Plemons’ Teddy and Stone’s CEO. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2026 Turcotte has been an efficient point producer relative to his ice time, boasts strong two-way metrics, and has won nearly 56 percent of his face-offs this year. — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 The film keeps pace through toe-curlingly tense table tennis face-offs, high-stakes hustles, and a jaw-dropping scene involving a bathtub that honestly puts Saltburn to shame. — Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025 Several of these races have attracted attention beyond their city limits, for interesting face-offs or for their potential to signal where some states and districts could be leaning as next year's midterm elections draw closer. — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-offs

Noun

Gameplay shapes the relationships, rivalries and reputations within the Clans.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026
This initiative aims to elevate horse racing's appeal to everyday sports fans by fostering rivalries and familiarity among top horses.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

Louder Than Fear, directed by Justin Krook and Michael Dwyer, documents the star’s journey to fame and his personal battles, including the aftermath of his 2008 private plane crash.

— Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
The eviction process was protracted and followed a series of complex legal battles led by residents of the encampment, who organized as a collective to advocate for their rights.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

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
Physicality is an important aspect in winning such duels, but Stones’ timing is often impeccable in the crucial moments.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of duels

Noun

And despite the confrontations, Kotzmacher said rally supporters received more positive feedback, privately.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military facilities and periodic incursions into villages outside the buffer zone, which have sometimes led to violent confrontations with residents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of confrontations

Noun

Outside of the tax world, one of the biggest stories focused on FIFA’s plan to sell a stake in a new company that would control the commercial operations of the World Cup and other major competitions.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
The pivot came after widespread backlash and vows from all 55 members of UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations) to boycott future FIFA competitions if the plans went through.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of competitions

Noun

The day also included tandem contests, where multiple dogs, as well as dogs and humans, shared the surfboard.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Florida’s August primary election is here, offering voters the opportunity to cast ballots in contests that will set up November clashes for governor, Congress and the state Legislature, and decide local races and referenda in counties and cities.

— Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of contests

Noun

Archer says the system can help controllers and flight crews detect emerging conflicts earlier, giving them more time to make informed decisions before safety risks develop.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Ted was genuinely out of his depth, the conflicts felt earned, and the show still had to persuade audiences that its relentless optimism wasn’t naïve.

— Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of conflicts

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face off

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faces

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

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Synonyms of face-offs

noun

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