as in toe-to-toe
in direct confrontation or competition
it's fitting that the two best teams during the regular season will go head-to-head for the championship
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of head-to-head
The fattest and floofiest bears in Alaska's Katmai National Park are competing as part of the popular Fat Bear Week, an annual head-to-head competition aimed at crowning a champion brown bear.
—
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
The American version is a take on the Dutch game show of the same name, which allows contestants with expertise in specific areas to challenge each other head-to-head to win more and more of the gamerboard.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
In the past, the coaches would choose who goes head-to-head in the round.
—Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Still, Payton is now 1-6 head-to-head against Jim Harbaugh.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-to-head
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
The American version is a take on the Dutch game show of the same name, which allows contestants with expertise in specific areas to challenge each other head-to-head to win more and more of the gamerboard.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
In the past, the coaches would choose who goes head-to-head in the round.
—Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Still, Payton is now 1-6 head-to-head against Jim Harbaugh.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-to-head
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-to-head
Adverb
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From digital strategies to face-to-face deal-making, circulation remains a priority for organizers, with initiatives like the popular Re>Birth program, now in its third edition.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
For maximum safety, aim to confirm with the recipient face-to-face on details of the transaction, including the amount and the payment method.—
Kat Boogaard,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Huawei, China’s tech powerhouse, now competes head-on against Apple with smartphones powered by its own chips.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Whichever the case, the stuff needs to be dealt with head-on, and there’s no better time to do so than in the present.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-to-head.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-to-head. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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