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 The candidate forum, held on Thursday night in Woodland and moderated by League of Women Voters of Yolo County, was a more confrontational showdown than their debate just one day earlier. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 In winning this best-of-five series three games to one, the Dodgers now can prepare for a best-of-seven showdown against the mighty Milwaukee Brewers. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 From bingo to $46 billion As federal funding shrank in the 1970s, some tribes turned to bingo to raise money, sparking a legal showdown with states that restricted gambling. — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 And what viewers got was mostly an old-fashioned showdown focused on policy. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 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
  • The cause of their displeasure has to do with scenes woven throughout that illustrate how Baldwin got his reputation for angry outbursts – confrontations with paparazzi through the years, for instance.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Rodan-Benzaquen argued that intensifying political confrontation could help Mélenchon consolidate his support among younger voters and immigrant communities, while portraying the far right as an increasingly serious threat.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • The Brewers defended home turf in Game 1 of the NLCS, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 2–1 in a tight pitching duel.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • And in the second half, the game turned into a duel between standout QBs each making his sixth college start.
    — PJ Green September 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Better still, they could’ve been forced to navigate a professional rivalry if, say, Roy is expected to support Chelsea’s women’s club.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Noun
  • Montanans are suffocating due to an affordability crisis, rising fuel prices and an inexplicable war.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On Monday, Zelenskyy said holding elections in Ukraine was impossible during war time, especially with new Russian tactics involving attacks day and night.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of war
Noun
  • In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, Hollister was also engaged in a lengthy courtroom battle with Perry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the rights to another property, a Los Feliz convent the singer hoped to turn into a private home.
    — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Noun
  • There’s a lot more competition now, especially with the celebrity beauty brands and the indie or niche brands that are blowing up on TikTok, which is a super popular platform for discovering new beauty products.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The report singles out Japan, women’s competitions and homegrown stars as the areas most likely to draw competing bids.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • However, unlike the first debate, the second face-off will not allow the candidates to have notes onstage, a source familiar told the Washington Examiner.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Last night’s face-off was a pitcher’s duel for the first eight innings, with Jacob Misiorowski and David Peterson each handing off a 1-1 tie to their respective bullpens.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of face-off
Noun
  • Gallium nitride, on the other hand, is suited to high-frequency applications, including communications equipment, radar and electronic warfare systems.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For the first few years of the war in Ukraine, Russia’s hybrid warfare attacks in Europe remained just below the threshold that might trigger a collective response.
    — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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