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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Recent Examples of face-offs
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
Much of the credit goes to the defense and to Andrew Golden, a junior who handles face-offs.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 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
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Much of the credit goes to the defense and to Andrew Golden, a junior who handles face-offs.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 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
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At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.
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The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.
Noun
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Informal Beyblade battles are popping up in strangest of places, with players huddling in parks, gyms and shopping malls.
-
Unlike in Jalisco or Michoacán, spectacular gun battles are hardly ever seen in Colima.
Noun
-
However, Azula intercepts the group and duels Aang and Katara with Zuko, who nearly had a change of heart after opening up to Katara.
-
Yes, purists love pitching duels.
Noun
-
Drama unfolds as tears are shed, confrontations occur and someone is asked to leave.
-
Ever delves into catastrophic confrontations over fences, noise, and general bad behavior.
Noun
-
Ski and snowboard streetstyle, which have had X Games demos that have transformed into medal events, aren’t included in the league structure, but may have standalone competitions.
-
So expect rainbow flags around the stadium, art competitions in the city and street parties galore.
Noun
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And then there’s the guy that had a lot of success, and through injuries or struggles, needs to change some things and adjust some things.
-
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
Noun
-
Polls show non-MAGA Republicans willing to cross party lines for Democrats in critical contests this year, such as the Ohio Senate battle.
-
Some of the 32 students will head to Boston Stadium on Friday, as Norway takes on France in one of the premier contests on the entire World Cup slate to date.
Noun
-
Being able to work through conflicts can often result in an even stronger bond.
-
China has helped cushion the global oil shock, seen its clean energy tech exports surge and framed the war in Iran as another example in which Chinese leadership could supersede the US in ending global conflicts.
Cite this Entry
“Face-offs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-offs. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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