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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That same poll reported that in a hypothetical head-to-head between Cuomo and Mamdani, Cuomo’s numbers would jump up to 44% and Mamdani’s would rise to 48%, closing Mamdani’s lead to only four points.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Oct. 2025 -
The Yankees went 94-68 too, but Toronto held the tiebreaker by virtue of its 8-5 head-to-head record against New York.—
Jon Paul Hoornstra,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Huawei, China’s tech powerhouse, now competes head-on against Apple with smartphones powered by its own chips.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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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,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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From digital strategies to face-to-face deal-making, circulation remains a priority for organizers, with initiatives like the popular Re>Birth program, now in its third edition.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
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For maximum safety, aim to confirm with the recipient face-to-face on details of the transaction, including the amount and the payment method.—
Kat Boogaard,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
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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 10 Oct. 2025.
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