Synonyms of face-to-face

face-to-face

adverb

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās 

1

as in personally

in person and usually privately

I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

Synonyms & Similar Words

• personally
• in secret
• tête-à-tête
• in private
• immediately
• intimately
• secretly
• confidentially
• familiarly
• directly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirectly
• publicly
• openly
• distantly

2

as in one-on-one

in direct confrontation or competition

came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• one-on-one
• head-to-head
• head-on
• toe-to-toe
• eyeball-to-eyeball
• mano a mano

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of face-to-face

Baby boomers—who currently occupy a significant share of managerial and executive roles—built their careers inside a workplace culture defined by formality, hierarchy, and personal relationships cultivated face-to-face. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

After Hawks center Tony Bradley was called for an offensive foul for setting a hard screen on Alvarado, the veteran McCollum got into it with the scrappy Knicks guard, jawing face-to-face in a moment that underscored the growing chippiness in the series. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

Bear charges hiker Instagram user @benbabusis shared an absolutely insane video on Sunday (via his stepmother) of a hiker coming face-to-face with a massive bear that didn't seem happy to be bothered. —David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

What the Experience Actually Looks Like The rooms put guests face-to-face with Siberian tigers, Bengal golden tigers and white tigers. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026