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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
President Trump said that Beijing was not honoring the terms of a temporary agreement and warned of further confrontation.
—
Adam Liptak Ana Swanson Christine Zhang Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Thom Yorke is speaking out for the first time about a confrontation with an audience member at one of his gigs in Australia last year that the Radiohead singer said left him emotionally distraught.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 May 2025
After a short confrontation with the librarian, the video shows Hanley entering the adult computer area.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
After the tense confrontation, the expecting mom went on to refer to the villain arc fans observed from Engemann during season 2 of the hit show.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Adam Liptak Ana Swanson Christine Zhang Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Thom Yorke is speaking out for the first time about a confrontation with an audience member at one of his gigs in Australia last year that the Radiohead singer said left him emotionally distraught.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 May 2025
After a short confrontation with the librarian, the video shows Hanley entering the adult computer area.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
After the tense confrontation, the expecting mom went on to refer to the villain arc fans observed from Engemann during season 2 of the hit show.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for confrontation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontation
Noun
-
This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.—
Ryan Stano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
How can the club improve its image around the world, where international fans are less concerned with local rivalries?—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
-
Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
The district developed some new policies after discovering COVID created not only bad habits but major struggles for families, including housing, employment and mental health, said Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
-
Spade's death on June 5, 2018, stunned the fashion world, highlighting the silent struggles behind one of the industry's biggest names and, along with the death of Anthony Bourdain three days later, sparked a broader conversation about mental health amidst fame and success.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Many prominent advocates for excluding transgender girls from sports praised Dhillon’s actions last week as a bold move to protect cisgender girls from unfair competition.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Bloody conflicts continued to occur throughout the 20th century.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
7 June 2025
-
Yes, Good Night, and Good Luck is based on the real-life conflict between Murrow and Senator McCarthy and the CBS broadcast that helped expose him.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
An increase in the drone supply—in addition to their effectiveness in combat operations—is reflective of a strategic adaptation by NATO to new forms of warfare that increasingly rely on unmanned systems.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
-
This conflict, ensnared in trench warfare, is reminiscent of the battlefields of Europe in World War I, where the machine gun and tank notably became revolutions in military affairs; the small drone is this generation’s change to modern warfare.—
Bill Edwards,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Perfect Kyrie Irving Replacement Former NBA Lottery Pick Joining Rockets in Surprising Role: Report Jason Kidd Could Leave Mavericks For Sought-After HC Opening: Report Looking ahead to next season, the Lakers will need to make some offseason moves to get back into NBA Finals contention.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 June 2025
-
As Newcastle’s style has developed and with Tonali excelling in a deeper midfield role, Longstaff has fallen out of contention.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontation. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share