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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of face-to-face
The federal government struck a surprise deal with Live Nation in March after a face-to-face meeting between Assefi and CEO Michael Rapino.
—
Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
The highest-level face-to-face engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
But even the fact that the two sides sat face-to-face, with Pakistani officials also in the room as mediators, was a breakthrough.
—Saeed Shah, Time, 13 Apr. 2026
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on Iran and the United States to keep their commitment to maintain a ceasefire, after both countries ended historic face-to-face talks without an agreement.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-to-face
Adam Reiss, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
The highest-level face-to-face engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
But even the fact that the two sides sat face-to-face, with Pakistani officials also in the room as mediators, was a breakthrough.
—Saeed Shah, Time, 13 Apr. 2026
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on Iran and the United States to keep their commitment to maintain a ceasefire, after both countries ended historic face-to-face talks without an agreement.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-to-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-to-face
Adverb
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According to one account, the McMahons let Patterson go personally, at the mansion, and both Vince and Linda cried.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
As almost all the Mercury and Gemini astronauts were test pilots before being selected for interstellar service, Cooper knew them personally.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Though Edmonton sat back and trapped more at times, including late in the year, their pace and personnel allowed for plenty of chances in three head-to-head meetings.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
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Who won the head-to-head games between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia this season?—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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One accelerant of America’s decline as a superpower will be that former allies will look elsewhere for their safety, while adversaries will recalculate the right time to challenge Washington head-on.—
Andreas Kluth,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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The Ford then collided head-on with a Lincoln MKX, the sheriff's office said.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Face-to-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-to-face. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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