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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Recent Examples of head-to-head
The 49ers can clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams with their second win over the in-state rival this season.
—
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Prince William's biggest event of the year went head-to-head with Prince Harry's support for military veterans during a trip to Canada on Wednesday.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
The series kicks off with the films going head-to-head in a scandalous divorce case that sends shockwaves through boardrooms and courtrooms alike.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
The beloved brothers of the Harry Potter film franchise, best known for their roles as Fred and George Weasley, are hosting the magical cooking competition with eight teams of two going head-to-head, creating otherworldly desserts inspired by the fictional wizarding world.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-to-head
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
Prince William's biggest event of the year went head-to-head with Prince Harry's support for military veterans during a trip to Canada on Wednesday.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
The series kicks off with the films going head-to-head in a scandalous divorce case that sends shockwaves through boardrooms and courtrooms alike.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
The beloved brothers of the Harry Potter film franchise, best known for their roles as Fred and George Weasley, are hosting the magical cooking competition with eight teams of two going head-to-head, creating otherworldly desserts inspired by the fictional wizarding world.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head-to-head
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-to-head
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
Adverb
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More recently, Mamdani tackled the Islamophobic attacks against him head-on, with a heartfelt message that drew comparisons to Obama's race speech.—
Ben Adler,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Then only weeks later, Eugene was badly injured when his car was struck head-on by another vehicle that crossed the median on a two-lane highway.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head-to-head.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-to-head. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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