as in head-to-head
in direct confrontation or competition the two brothers decided to go mano a mano in one final match to determine who was the better tennis player

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 mano a mano Still the competition seems like perfect Tom–versus–Aaron, mano a mano, gay against gay. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025 Surreal and dreamlike vignettes, and some laugh out loud moments of levity, break up mano a mano scenes in that hut that test the intensity of Bean and Day-Lewis. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mano a mano
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mano a mano
Adverb
  • Thayer is now ahead of the Lions in the league standings due to the head-to-head victory and a strong finish to the year could put the program in a bowl game.
    Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Memphis has a worse loss than South Florida, but the Tigers have a head-to-head win and a victory over an SEC team in Arkansas.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • But while a Halloween marathon is a seasonal must, trying to figure out how to watch all 13 films can feel as daunting as coming face-to-face with the Shape himself.
    Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • However, the saga unearths new layers in the second season as Natalia shares her harrowing experiences with her adoptive parents and has a face-to-face confrontation with Michael.
    James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The 18-year-old continued on in the sedan, before crashing head-on with another pickup truck, driven by 21-year-old Scott Hakes, Action News Jax reported.
    Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Neff is accused of driving a Dodge pickup the wrong direction down the highway in Carneys Point Township, crashing head-on into the teenagers’ car.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mano a mano.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mano%20a%20mano. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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