as in competing
to engage in a contest
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of facing off
Samara Weaving returns with sharper edges, this time facing off against four families in a plot that veers toward global domination.
—
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
In District 4, incumbent Nick Melvoin is facing off against Ankur Patel, director of outreach at the Hindu University of America.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Two peers from the Foss Park District Board are facing off in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the Lake County Board District 14 seat, part of a new wave of fresh faces vying for county leadership.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Franklin’s District 6 aldermanic seat is contested in the April 7 election, with incumbent Jason Craig facing off against Danelle Kenney.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Mitchell’s voter simulation puts the possibility of two Republicans facing off in November, and shutting out Democratic gubernatorial candidates, at 12%.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
To commemorate the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which kicks off on March 5 and will run through March 17 with 20 teams facing off in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo; Houston, and Miami, the collection will launch in Japan on March 2 followed by a worldwide release on April 14.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell’s gauntlet of a postseason doesn’t get any easier in Super Bowl LX with the Patriots facing off against the Seahawks’ vaunted defense.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
As Operation Metro Surge got into full swing earlier this month, more than 3,000 federal immigration agents flooded into Minnesota, carrying out sweeping detentions and facing off with protesters in tense confrontations.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
In District 4, incumbent Nick Melvoin is facing off against Ankur Patel, director of outreach at the Hindu University of America.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Two peers from the Foss Park District Board are facing off in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the Lake County Board District 14 seat, part of a new wave of fresh faces vying for county leadership.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Franklin’s District 6 aldermanic seat is contested in the April 7 election, with incumbent Jason Craig facing off against Danelle Kenney.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Mitchell’s voter simulation puts the possibility of two Republicans facing off in November, and shutting out Democratic gubernatorial candidates, at 12%.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
To commemorate the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which kicks off on March 5 and will run through March 17 with 20 teams facing off in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tokyo; Houston, and Miami, the collection will launch in Japan on March 2 followed by a worldwide release on April 14.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 26 Feb. 2026
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell’s gauntlet of a postseason doesn’t get any easier in Super Bowl LX with the Patriots facing off against the Seahawks’ vaunted defense.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
As Operation Metro Surge got into full swing earlier this month, more than 3,000 federal immigration agents flooded into Minnesota, carrying out sweeping detentions and facing off with protesters in tense confrontations.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facing off
competing
Verb
-
Republicans have attempted to drive a similar wedge over transgender politics, holding a vote last weekend on whether to restrict biological males from competing in women’s sports, but Democrats managed to stay united in opposing the legislation in a 49-41 vote.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Cherelus, Martin-Scott, Njongmeta and Windmon will all be competing for depth jobs.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Facing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facing%20off. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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