Synonyms of confrontation
: the act of confronting : the state of being confronted: such as
a
: a face-to-face meeting
a confrontation between the suspect and the victim
b
: the clashing of forces or ideas : conflict
a violent confrontation between rival gangs
c
: comparison
The flashbacks bring into meaningful confrontation present and past, near and far.R. J. Clements

Examples of confrontation in a Sentence

There were several violent confrontations between rival gangs. He would prefer not to have a confrontation with the authorities. a series of confrontations between residents and police We want cooperation, not confrontation. We seek to avoid military confrontation at all costs.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Video of the confrontation appears to show Nelson idling in a snowy strip mall parking lot in his gray Dodge Ram when another driver in an even larger pickup pulls in beside him. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Kreuzer did not stop, leading sheriff’s deputies onto eastbound I-80 and the fatal confrontation near Citrus Heights. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026 So did a man that Black reportedly shot during the confrontation, whose charge wasn’t included in the deal. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 Lakanwal was shot during the confrontation and appeared remotely by video from a hospital bed in December for his first hearing before a judge. ABC News, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for confrontation

Word History

Etymology

see confront

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of confrontation was in 1632

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Confrontation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confrontation. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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