FACE OFF Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

face-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf

Definition of face-off

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

However, unlike the first debate, the second face-off will not allow the candidates to have notes onstage, a source familiar told the Washington Examiner. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026 Last night’s face-off was a pitcher’s duel for the first eight innings, with Jacob Misiorowski and David Peterson each handing off a 1-1 tie to their respective bullpens. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

The World Series begins Friday with the Milwaukee Brewers facing off against the Tampa Bay Rays, a team Bauers made his Major League debut with back on June 7, 2018. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Now, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay will face off in the best-of-seven World Series to begin on October 23. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face-off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off

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

Verb

The council evaluated four competing proposals solicited after the city issued a contract termination notice to trash hauler Republic Services in September.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Africa is attracting investment from major miners as China and Western governments compete to secure minerals for clean energy and advanced technologies.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of compete

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

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

Verb

While an ordinary walk might leave her mind racing toward work, looking for a particular color gave it something else to do, effectively putting all that other mental chatter on mute.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Together, the symbols represent more than 280 years of racing history and state pride, officials say.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of race

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

Iran and Saudi Arabia represent competing religious ideologies and have been locked in a regional rivalry for decades, culminating in an outright confrontation earlier this year after the US and Israel launched a war on the Islamic Republic.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Not through confrontation, but through sensitivity, through encounter and through the possibility of listening to one another.

— Ed Meza, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

facelift

face-off

face off

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Style

“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of face-off

noun

verb

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