Definition of head-onnext
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

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 head-on One accelerant of America’s decline as a superpower will be that former allies will look elsewhere for their safety, while adversaries will recalculate the right time to challenge Washington head-on. Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 14 Apr. 2026 Mississippi takes its history head-on. Gary Fields, Arkansas Online, 13 Apr. 2026 Mississippi takes its history head-on. Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026 Associate administrator Amit Kshatriya pointed to Artemis I flight data, ground testing, and engineering models as justification, and Glover acknowledged the risk head-on, noting the heat shield and parachutes are systems with zero fault tolerance built in. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for head-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-on
Adverb
  • Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić and Antetokounmpo are likely the only centers that can win a head-to-head matchup against Wembanyama.
    Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • If no single candidate got a majority of the votes, the top two candidates advanced to a head-to-head runoff.
    Eric McDaniel, NPR, 30 May 2026
Adverb
  • For two months, the mother and son had almost zero face-to-face contact.
    Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • In digital marketing, content creation and communication, the importance of face-to-face experience is not declining.
    Alana Sandel, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Head-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-on. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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