showdown

noun

Definition of showdownnext
as in confrontation

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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 showdown Ahead of Saturday’s top-10 showdown in Oxford, our friends at DawgNation point out that Georgia failed to sack the Ole Miss quarterback a single time in either of last season’s matchups — but the Bulldog pass rush has been much better this year. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026 The final showdown Advertisement Eleven days into the protest, Califano (played by Mark Ruffalo) finally agrees to come to the federal building to meet with the protesters and hear their testimony on the importance of 504. — Barry Levitt, Time, 6 Nov. 2026 Expect both teams to lean on defense and the run game in an old-fashioned showdown. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026 Democrat Chris Mann appears poised to unseat Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach in a rematch of the rivals’ 2022 showdown. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showdown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for showdown
  1. confrontation
  2. duel
  3. rivalry
  4. war
  5. battle
  6. competition
  7. face-off
  8. warfare
Noun
  • Whether those negotiations can prevent another major confrontation remains unclear.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The designation could expose individuals accused of working with MI6 to prosecution under Iranian law and heighten the risk of military confrontation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • The pair had previously engaged in a quarterback duel that lasted well into fall camp, so Florida remained confident in its backup.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Her biggest liberty is a duel between Herbert Nordrum’s Colonel Brandon and Frank Dillane’s John Willoughby, which Austen mentions but keeps offstage.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • The Chiefs-Jets all-time series is certainly not considered one of the great NFL rivalries, but the teams have a long history.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Like Cassavetes, Jaglom tended to be almost single-mindedly focused on interpersonal relationships — romantic ones, but also friendships and rivalries between men and between women.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Noun
  • This is the day of maximal public attention to television and online news, on par with wars and natural disasters and the World Cup finals.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Why has Trump provided Putin economic lifelines to continue his war against Ukraine?
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of war
Noun
  • The letter was shared as Haitian police and foreign forces continue to battle gangs, with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing on X late Friday that a gang leader was killed, without identifying him.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The attention surfaced new accusations of misconduct against sitting members and thrust a spotlight onto others that were part of ongoing legal battles.
    — Anna Liss-Roy, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • In the team competition, Granada Hills edged Palisades by one stroke, 416-417, to end the Dolphins’ five-year reign, which was one short of the City record set by Granada Hills from 2001-06 and equaled by the Highlanders from 2011-16.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The only worthy competition, so far, is Adults, a zanier, higher-energy show in the tradition of Broad City and Happy Endings—and one that gained some depth in this year’s great second season.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • The first film, a box office hit, follows an explosive face-off between Los Angeles Police Department detective Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Pacino) and professional thief Neil McCauley (De Niro).
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
  • In Florida's 25th Congressional District, that split has produced a direct face-off.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of face-off
Noun
  • This adds another layer of automation to expeditionary mine warfare operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Attrition declined sharply during the later training stages, with 5% during the second phase, which emphasizes combat diving, and 3% during the third phase, which focuses on land warfare.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of warfare

Browse Nearby Words

showcasing
showdown
showdowns
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Cite this Entry

“Showdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/showdown. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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