as in head-to-head
in direct confrontation or competition
mom-and-pop grocery stores are usually wildly outmatched when they go toe-to-toe with large chain stores
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toe-to-toe
Adverb
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But before the Wolverines found the second-half cruise control, the game was won in the paint where Avila, a delightful college basketball player, went head-to-head (or more like head to low neck) with Mara, a future NBA player.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026 -
Semaglutide and tirzepatide, however, have been compared head-to-head.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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But this season, Michaela must face her vulnerability head-on as she's forced to navigate her relationship to her late cousin's legacy – and to Francesca.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
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Footage shows the difficult and tense situations officers faced head-on, including some of the negotiations that took place before Gooden opened fire.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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However, the federal government struck a surprise settlement with the company in early March, following a face-to-face meeting between Rapino and Omeed Assefi, the acting assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
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In most countries, approximately 1,000 people are contacted by telephone or face-to-face each year.—
Kostya Manenkov,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Toe-to-toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toe-to-toe. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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