as in head-to-head
in direct confrontation or competition
the underdog team met its more talented opponent head-on and won the hockey game through sheer grit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of head-on
Clearly, the way Americans have been approaching this whole resolution business—that is, tackling our challenges head-on—simply does not work.
—
Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
The suspect allegedly crossed a double yellow line and crashed into the family's car head-on.
—Rachel Wolf , Matt Finn , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Step up and meet your fear head-on as Chiron goes direct.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Hendersonville city officials say a police officer is recovering at home after he was involved in a head-on crash on his way home in a patrol car over the weekend.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-on
Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
The suspect allegedly crossed a double yellow line and crashed into the family's car head-on.
—Rachel Wolf , Matt Finn , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Step up and meet your fear head-on as Chiron goes direct.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Hendersonville city officials say a police officer is recovering at home after he was involved in a head-on crash on his way home in a patrol car over the weekend.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-on
Adverb
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Teams of friends and families will go head-to-head in a test of boat building in the great outdoors during an annual Central Florida event.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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The race for another Board of Review seat will be a head-to-head match rather than uncontested after county officials ruled incumbent Commissioner George Cardenas was safe on the ballot.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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When Carrington and Dina sit down face-to-face to negotiate Allura’s divorce, Dina brings up Chase’s relationship with Maria as a means to blackmail him.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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Over the past 15 years, face-to-face socialization has declined precipitously.—
Damon Beres,
The Atlantic,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-on. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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