en·coun·ter
in-ˈkau̇n-tər 
en-
encountered; encountering
in-ˈkau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ
en-
1
a
: to meet as an adversary or enemy
b
: to engage in conflict with
2
: to come upon face-to-face
3
: to come upon or experience especially unexpectedly
encounter difficulties
: to meet especially by chance
1
: a meeting between hostile factions or persons : a sudden often violent clash
an encounter between the police and demonstrators
2
a
: a chance meeting
an accidental encounter
b
: a particular kind of meeting or experience with another person
a romantic encounter
3
: a coming into the vicinity of a celestial body
the Martian encounter of a spacecraft
Examples of encounter in a Sentence
Verb
We encountered problems early in the project.
The pilot told us that we might encounter turbulence during the flight.
Her suggestion has encountered a lot of opposition.
Noun
a chance encounter with a famous writer
The tour boat had a close encounter with a breeching humpback whale.
There was a violent encounter between fans of the opposing teams.
It was her first encounter with cigarettes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
James Cameron's sequel will see Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) encounter two new Pandoran tribes.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
During a 2019 episode of Inside the NBA, Shaq recounted an encounter that left him completely stunned.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
The Texas resident encountered the puppy in the desert, where she had been left behind by larger dogs after failing to keep up with them, according to a press release obtained by PEOPLE from Paws of War, which added that the trembling puppy immediately gravitated toward Ríos.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
James Cameron's sequel will see Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) encounter two new Pandoran tribes.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Chapters are devoted to encounters with Tennessee Williams, Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Bob Dylan, Alfred Hitchcock and more.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025
During a 2019 episode of Inside the NBA, Shaq recounted an encounter that left him completely stunned.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encounter. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
encounter
1 of 2 verb
en·coun·ter
in-ˈkau̇nt-ər
encountered; encountering
-ˈkau̇nt-ə-riŋ
-ˈkau̇n-triŋ
1
: to engage in a struggle with as an enemy or rival
2
: to come upon face-to-face : meet
3
: to come upon unexpectedly
encountered problems
encounter
2 of 2 noun1
: a clash between enemies or rivals
also
: a very unfriendly meeting
had an encounter with the boss
2
a
: a chance meeting
b
: a meeting face-to-face
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