CONFRONTATIONS Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

confrontations

noun

plural of confrontation

as in rivalries

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the softball rivals met in an epic confrontation on the last weekend of the summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 confrontations While that figure was low, the researchers argued that even a small risk of unintended weapons use could be unacceptable in sensitive maritime confrontations. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026 Following the October 7 attack in Israel and subsequent Israeli military operation in Palestine, protests on universities across the country escalated into confrontations between pro-Palestine protestors and pro-Israel counterprotestors. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 So far, no physical confrontations between police or members of the Tohono O’odham Nation have been reported. — Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 In Danbury, protesters have had tense confrontations with ICE officers, who responded at least once with pepper spray, according to activists. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 In addition to mandatory training, officers would have the opportunity to undergo simulation training at least twice per year to better prepare them for on-duty confrontations. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Indonesia has pledged to keep subsidized fuel prices unchanged through 2026, which may strain the budget if oil prices rise again due to supply disruptions or a worsening of military confrontations. — Celestine Iyer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Critical milestones in this transitional phase of the movement were the deadly confrontations between white Christian extremists and federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho (1992), and Waco, Texas (1993). — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 Along with their production crew, who went ahead to test internet connections, meet locals, and scout each stop, Al-Emad and Andrijasevic were less concerned with manufacturing confrontations than letting local people show them around. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontations

Noun

North Dakota State’s move to the FBS has created excitement about new opponents, rivalries and possibilities.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Just as their own fictions bend and weave tales, so too do their own lives and rivalries.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

The policy updates come amid the slew of ongoing legal battles by players who were originally part of the 2022 high school recruiting class seeking a fifth year of collegiate eligibility.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Then came battles with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

— Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of battles

Noun

The criticism instead centers on the significant advantages that enormous family wealth can provide, including time, training and the freedom to pursue a creative career without the financial struggles many developing artists face.

— Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Isaiah explains that sharing their pregnancy losses and fertility struggles publicly felt like their purpose.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

By that point, Hull had won almost twice as many duels as United and were also winning the game.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Cherry went 74 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Racing Louisville, recording four defensive clearances and winning three of her four aerial duels as Angel City lost for the first time in four games.

— Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 31 July 2026

Definition of duels

Noun

Unfortunately, its determination to recreate its predecessor’s personal conflicts and revelations, along with its narrative twists and turns, slightly hamstrings what is otherwise an extremely effective thrill ride, especially on the big screen.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
When Russia’s full-scale invasion breaks out, his mother and sister flee Ukraine and join him, bringing with them family conflicts and feelings of guilt that distance cannot silence.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of conflicts

Noun

To the extent these independent contentions were intended to imply that NBA rules permit teams, at the request of players, to initiate off-court income opportunities for players, that implication is incorrect.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Many healthcare policy analysts disagree with these contentions about fraud, noting partisan politics have now become part of the dissemination of government reports.

— Robert Applebaum, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of contentions

Browse Nearby Words

confrontational

confrontations

confronted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Confrontations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontations. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of confrontations

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes