face-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf How to pronounce face-off (audio)
Synonyms of face-offnext
1
: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them
2
: confrontation

face off

2 of 2

verb

faced off; facing off; faces off

intransitive verb

: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate

Synonyms of face-off

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Noun

Verb

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Examples of face-off in a Sentence

Noun the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges Verb eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
At the weigh-ins and face-off for the IBF heavyweight championship fight, Itauma shoved Hrgovic off the stage and the latter retaliated by slapping the former's face. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The Liberty players participating in the World Cup — USA’s Breanna Stewart and Germany’s Leonie Fiebich — are not scheduled to face-off in the Group Stage. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
Ross defeated Secker in the primary four days later by only 33 votes, and was set to face off against Democratic candidate Aaron Metzger in the general election. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 With that, Yamaha is set to face off against KTM, whose RC 200 makes nearly identical power and torque, and costs roughly the same. — Yamaha, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of face-off was in 1886

Rhymes for face-off

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Browse Nearby Words

face nailing
face-off
face off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-off. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

face-off

1 of 2 noun
ˈfā-ˌsȯf
1
: a method of putting a puck in play in ice hockey by dropping it between two opposing players
2
: a meeting of opposing forces : confrontation

face off

2 of 2 verb
: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off each other in a debate

More from Merriam-Webster on face-off

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about face-off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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