CONFRONTATION Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

confrontation

noun

ˌkän-(ˌ)frən-ˈtā-shən

Definition of confrontation

as in rivalry

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

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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 confrontation The confrontation escalated into a fight that left both tourists injured. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Such long-term investment is difficult to reconcile with the notion of an imminent military confrontation. — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Giamanco crawled in through a shot-out window, reached the special education classroom and reracked his firearm in preparation for a deadly confrontation. — David K. Li, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 Morisseau, who knows her way around a potent situation, has written several scenes of dramatic confrontation. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confrontation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontation

Noun

The Jets have the home-field advantage in the rivalry game and have more experienced veterans on the roster while in the second year of coach Glenn’s regime, as Miami is in its first year under coach Jeff Hafley.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
An in-state rivalry between two California teams tips off tonight.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of rivalry

Noun

The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.

— Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of battle

Noun

Jurors also heard about Garza’s previous run-ins with law enforcement — and his family’s struggles to get help from the county with his mental health.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The folk tradition, especially, connected her to international Black freedom movements that emphasized labor conditions as a key part of the struggle.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Still, some market participants see reason for hope in a market bludgeoned this year over worries about rising prices, tensions in the Middle East and stiff competition from artificial intelligence hyperscalers flooding the market with debt.

— Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of competition

Noun

When an ingenious serial killer begins murdering Minneapolis citizens, Davenport, a brilliant polymath and unconventional investigator, takes the case, sparking an intense psychological duel with an equally intelligent adversary.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Snell opened the seventh by walking Andrew Vaughn and losing an 11-pitch duel to Bauers, who won the battle with a two-run homer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen's long-running conflict.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
The risk of conflict is growing and the threat to the international economy is severe.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of conflict

Noun

During the first years of the war, Russia’s nuclear muscle flexing and hybrid warfare failed to prevent Ukraine’s allies from funneling financial support, military aid, and targeting intelligence to Kyiv.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Russian electronic warfare may have diverted the drone during a Ukrainian operation against legitimate military targets in Russia, ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said in a statement.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of warfare

Noun

While Healey is expected to let a reduction in his fiscal buffer do most of the work on the basis that the Iran war has blown a hole in his accounts, tax increases are still likely.

— Ian King, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
In March, the Pentagon reportedly began shipping Patriot and THAAD components from South Korea to the Middle East to support the Iran war.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of war

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confront

confrontation

confrontational

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“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of confrontation

noun

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