face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf How to pronounce face-off (audio)
Definition of face-offnext
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

face off

2 of 2

verb

as in to compete
to engage in a contest eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 face-off
Noun
In this unofficial but unavoidable national holiday face-off between two people who have been public in their dislike for each other, Swift gets to fire the first shot. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 Some fans embraced the face-off, such as Yaritza Barre, who is Ecuadorian with a Mexican husband. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
Another Indiana high school, Brownsburg High School, marched in the parade in 2026, when Indiana University faced off against Alabama and continued their winning streak. — Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 1 Sep. 2026 The Baccarat Hotel New York presented its annual Petit Slam table tennis exhibition on Thursday where two-time US Open winner Naomi Osaka faced off against media maven Gayle King. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
  1. rivalry
  2. compete
  3. battle
  4. contend
  5. duel
  6. race
  7. competition
  8. confrontation
Noun
  • Nattie challenged Jaida Parker to a submission match for Heatwave as their rivalry turned up a notch.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The handlers may represent rival schools, but those rivalries tend to stop at the kennel, pasture or habitat gate, especially when another mascot is sick, retiring or in need of support.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivalry
Verb
  • If Woltemade leaves then Wissa, Joe Willock, who is set to stay, and Jacob Ramsey are the obvious candidates to compete to play there.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The series will see 16 people compete head-to-head for a $250,000 cash prize.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of compete
Noun
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Naturally, with three more Salt Lake City wives at the Alter Ego Party, Gizelle is ready to further investigate why Lisa is in a battle with her whole cast.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • The disclosure contends that, because of the new procedures, a single scanning error in a batch of tens of thousands of ballot envelopes could prevent any from reaching voters.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Defense attorneys contend that because only a single bullet was fired — and struck its target — the crowd was not at risk.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of contend
Noun
  • Also, Napoli will host Como in a duel between Champions League participants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • If both top closers have to do more or less the same thing, namely, stay in contention, arguably what has to happen here for either to hit the wire first, then the next question is, who wins in a stretch duel.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of duel
Verb
  • The core experience for me is being in the car, just having a good time, feeling the downforce, feeling the Gs, hearing the sound, and racing the car on a track.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Now, as companies race to effectively deploy AI into business processes, that model is spreading like wildfire.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • Combined with recent updates across several companies in the AI industry, the AI competition appears to have entered a new phase centered on cost-efficiency.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Horse racing revenue in Illinois had been dwindling for years due to competition from casinos, the lottery, and video and sports gambling.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of competition
Noun
  • Not long afterward, two dozen Border Patrol agents descended on Roosevelt High School as class was getting out, prompting a confrontation in which the agents deployed pepper spray and arrested four people, including a teacher.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • First was the question of how to manage Russia’s elites, many of whom were less than enthusiastic about a direct confrontation with the West.
    — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of confrontation

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facelift
face-off
face off
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on face-off

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about face-off

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