mano a mano

adverb

ˌmä-nō-ä-ˈmä-nō How to pronounce mano a mano (audio)
Definition of mano a manonext
as in head-to-head
in direct confrontation or competition the two brothers decided to go mano a mano in one final match to determine who was the better tennis player

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 mano a mano There was no mano a mano moment between James and Bryant. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Zoë survived two blasts and one mano a mano confrontation with Beelzebub! — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025 Though neither is exactly a revelation — in the sense that these talents were revealed long ago — each gets space for menacing monologues and mano a mano match-ups. — Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Dec. 2025 Surreal and dreamlike vignettes, and some laugh out loud moments of levity, break up mano a mano scenes in that hut that test the intensity of Bean and Day-Lewis. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mano a mano
  1. head-to-head
  2. face-to-face
  3. head-on
Adverb
  • Racers will go head-to-head two teams at a time, with the top two fastest teams competing in the final race.
    — Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo go head-to-head in a killer duet.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of head-to-head
Adverb
  • Younger generations have grown up with technology in a way that’s left them with fewer opportunities to practice face-to-face interactions.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In this vein, moving away from a brand-centric model and embracing a more client-facing approach, getting to know visitors face-to-face remains the ultimate personalization tool.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of face-to-face
Adverb
  • Addressing this head-on, in the moment, could come across as combative.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Chris and Shane are both capable of facing this challenge head-on and finding a way to achieve the results that our fans deserve, which is winning games, getting to the postseason and ultimately winning championships.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of head-on

Browse Nearby Words

mannishness
mano a mano
man of letters
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Cite this Entry

“Mano a mano.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mano%20a%20mano. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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