as in competing
to engage in a contest
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
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Recent Examples of facing off
This is when fans can submit ticket applications for individual group-stage matches (the tournament’s opening round that features groups of teams facing off round robin–style before the teams with the best records advance into the single-elimination knockout-round bracket).
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Meredith Heil Bock, AFAR Media, 25 Sep. 2025
The show is facing off against Andor, The Diplomat, The Last of Us, Paradise, The Pitt, Slow Horses, and The White Lotus in the Outstanding Drama Series category.
—Rebecca Detken, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Support has not just been confined to just the stands though, with Sudan last year facing off against traditional rival South Sudan.
—Rory Fleming, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Maye was constantly under siege behind a leaky offensive line facing off against the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles’ pass rush.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
Hello Alice is facing off against a movement that has lately gained momentum.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
One of those new additions, RHP Chris Paddack, is getting the start on Tuesday, with All-Star Casey Mize facing off against the Twins on Monday.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Meredith Heil Bock, AFAR Media, 25 Sep. 2025
The show is facing off against Andor, The Diplomat, The Last of Us, Paradise, The Pitt, Slow Horses, and The White Lotus in the Outstanding Drama Series category.
—Rebecca Detken, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Support has not just been confined to just the stands though, with Sudan last year facing off against traditional rival South Sudan.
—Rory Fleming, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Maye was constantly under siege behind a leaky offensive line facing off against the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles’ pass rush.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
Hello Alice is facing off against a movement that has lately gained momentum.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
One of those new additions, RHP Chris Paddack, is getting the start on Tuesday, with All-Star Casey Mize facing off against the Twins on Monday.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facing off
Verb
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Again, multiple collectives competing against each other was an issue all over the country, including at Penn State’s main competition for Big Ten supremacy.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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If not, there will be no need to rush back Williams and McCray-Ball from their injuries just to join a team that has no chance of competing this season.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But instead of contending for the Supporters Shield (best record in MLS), Minnesota will need to start looking behind them in the standings.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
21 Sep. 2025
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The contract extension announcement arrives ahead of the race on Sunday, where McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull are expected to be the teams contending for the win.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Facing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facing%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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