one-on-one

adverb

ˌwən-ȯn-ˈwən How to pronounce one-on-one (audio)
Definition of one-on-onenext
as in face-to-face
in direct confrontation or competition bragged that no one could go one-on-one with her in a game of darts and win

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-on-one
  1. face-to-face
  2. head-to-head
  3. head-on
Adverb
  • But nothing has quite captured the pure animalististic terror of the moment in this episode when Rhaena, Daemon, Rhaenyra and Addam all come face-to-face, dragon-to-dragon.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Minnesota rally will also bring the movement face-to-face with one of the WNBA’s most prominent supporters of transgender inclusion.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of face-to-face
Adverb
  • Malawi scored and conceded four goals, Nigeria three, and Zambia two, leaving them still tied with head-to-head goal differentials of zero.
    — Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Excluding the one pinpoint pass Maye completed against him in the two-minute drill, Gonzalez didn’t allow a catch and won all three head-to-head reps against Brown in a 2-on-2 red-zone period pitting receiver and cornerbacks.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of head-to-head
Adverb
  • 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, 26 June 2026
  • Volvo shared some new crash footage with Popular Science, showing how their design choices protect drivers even during head-on moose collisions.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026
Definition of head-on
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.

Browse Nearby Words

one-off
one-on-one
onerous
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Cite this Entry

“One-on-one.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-on-one. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on one-on-one

Nglish: Translation of one-on-one for Spanish Speakers

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