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
That’s to be expected for a team that few expected to make the playoffs, facing off against a perennial powerhouse.
—
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The Patriots have a more difficult path to the postseason this year, facing off against one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In Yolo County, Ryan Davis, a former public defender who currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner hearing family law cases in Sacramento County, is facing off against Diane Ortiz, a Yolo County Deputy District Attorney.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Castro, who was elected to the commission in April 2023 and is frequently at odds with Lago, will be facing off against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez, an of-counsel attorney at DiFalco and Fernandez LLLP, for her Group 4 seat.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond are facing off for the critical seat ahead of the midterm elections.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Other moments involve the pair facing off with wild animals.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Tournament of Champions returned for its seventh season on March 1, with 32 chefs facing off in the kitchen.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Mills is facing off against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, in a high-profile Democratic primary.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The Patriots have a more difficult path to the postseason this year, facing off against one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In Yolo County, Ryan Davis, a former public defender who currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner hearing family law cases in Sacramento County, is facing off against Diane Ortiz, a Yolo County Deputy District Attorney.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Castro, who was elected to the commission in April 2023 and is frequently at odds with Lago, will be facing off against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez, an of-counsel attorney at DiFalco and Fernandez LLLP, for her Group 4 seat.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond are facing off for the critical seat ahead of the midterm elections.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Other moments involve the pair facing off with wild animals.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Tournament of Champions returned for its seventh season on March 1, with 32 chefs facing off in the kitchen.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Mills is facing off against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, in a high-profile Democratic primary.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facing off
competing
Verb
-
Second, colleges and conferences are competing businesses that use NCAA rules to limit how each can compete for college athletes’ services.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 May 2026
-
Ballard, who started two games in 2023 after arriving as a walk-on, and Marshall, a dual-threat who led his Michigan high school to a state championship, are stylistically different but close friends competing for the top job.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Facing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facing%20off. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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