Definition of face-to-facenext
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

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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

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-to-face Yet calling off the face-to-face visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping could have its own major economic consequences as relations between the world's two biggest economies remain fraught over tariffs and other issues. Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026 It’s been a long week of discussions with the WNBA and union meeting face-to-face for more than 75 hours since the first in-person bargaining session on Tuesday. Doug Feinberg, Twin Cities, 17 Mar. 2026 To that, this post-Oscars filing also has a very different POV of what was said and what wasn’t said in a face-to-face Shell and Cipriani had last month in Glaser’s Century City offices. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026 Coming face-to-face with a tariff bill can feel like a gut-punch. Essence, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-to-face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-to-face
Adverb
  • The Temple Israel attack was perpetrated by an individual personally connected to the Middle East conflict — members of his family were killed in Lebanon during an Israeli strike.
    Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • The office of the Russian Commissioner for Human Rights then introduced new conditions for his return, asking for Dvornychenko to come and pick him up personally – an option rejected by Ukraine, given the risk of her being rearrested.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • But before the Wolverines found the second-half cruise control, the game was won in the paint where Avila, a delightful college basketball player, went head-to-head (or more like head to low neck) with Mara, a future NBA player.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Semaglutide and tirzepatide, however, have been compared head-to-head.
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • But this season, Michaela must face her vulnerability head-on as she's forced to navigate her relationship to her late cousin's legacy – and to Francesca.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Footage shows the difficult and tense situations officers faced head-on, including some of the negotiations that took place before Gooden opened fire.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Face-to-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-to-face. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

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