face-to-face

adverb

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās How to pronounce face-to-face (audio)
Definition of face-to-facenext
1
as in personally
in person and usually privately I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in one-on-one
in direct confrontation or competition came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

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-to-face What happens next are the most dramatic and twisted moments of his life, as these mysterious events bring Sam face-to-face with his younger self. — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 No one should have to drive downtown simply to sign a document and never actually talk to someone who can answer their questions, face-to-face, in detail. — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Roman Reigns entered the ring before the show was over and got face-to-face with Penta. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The tableau of Hansen going face-to-face with suspects seated in suburban kitchens became so familiar it was spoofed in a comedy sketch that opened the 2006 Emmy Awards. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The resort is a stone's throw from a major sea turtle habitat, and snorkeling tours that result in face-to-face encounters with a myriad of marine life are offered. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 After the ritual face-to-face pose, Hrgovic stepped in front of Itauma and began posing for the cameras, prompting Itauma to shove him off the stage. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Kansas City, Kansas, firefighters may not get a chance to tell county officials about their public safety concerns face-to-face, according to a recent court ruling. — Sofi Zeman august 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Before last month’s meetup, the monarch hadn’t seen Meghan or his two grandchildren face-to-face since 2022—four years ago. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-to-face
  1. personally
  2. head-to-head
  3. head-on
Adverb
  • While calling for additional regulations involving e-bikes, the chief also returned to the scene to personally thank those who helped rescue the woman.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Tyler Cameron has a lot going on, professionally and personally.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of personally
Adverb
  • The two candidates have gone head-to-head in recent weeks over support of police and plans to fight corruption in what’s sure to be one of the top races to watch this fall.
    — Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 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 head-to-head
Adverb
  • 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, 26 June 2026
  • Volvo shared some new crash footage with Popular Science, showing how their design choices protect drivers even during head-on moose collisions.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026
Definition of head-on

Browse Nearby Words

facetiousness
face-to-face
facets
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Face-to-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-to-face. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All