as in rivalries
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 confrontations
Drama unfolds as tears are shed, confrontations occur and someone is asked to leave.
—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Ever delves into catastrophic confrontations over fences, noise, and general bad behavior.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
26 June 2026
After a series of confrontations with colonial authorities, Bacon’s forces captured Jamestown, the colonial capital.
—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 June 2026
Community leaders and Democratic lawmakers have railed against the practice, which has led to dramatic confrontations in the hallways outside courtrooms.
—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
The demonstrations have unleashed violent confrontations between dynamite-wielding demonstrators and riot police, leading to at least 365 arrests and 37 injuries, according to authorities.
—
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Future confrontations are expected, potentially involving bio-weapons or large-scale persuasion, demanding faster, proactive regulatory responses and international coordination.
—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
And there are no ego-destroying confrontations with people who know how to do things, who tell you that your idea is dumb.
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
The most dramatic confrontations took place this past winter in Minneapolis, but in the months since the federal government ended its occupation of that city, resistance has continued.
—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Ever delves into catastrophic confrontations over fences, noise, and general bad behavior.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
26 June 2026
After a series of confrontations with colonial authorities, Bacon’s forces captured Jamestown, the colonial capital.
—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 June 2026
Community leaders and Democratic lawmakers have railed against the practice, which has led to dramatic confrontations in the hallways outside courtrooms.
—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
The demonstrations have unleashed violent confrontations between dynamite-wielding demonstrators and riot police, leading to at least 365 arrests and 37 injuries, according to authorities.
—
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Future confrontations are expected, potentially involving bio-weapons or large-scale persuasion, demanding faster, proactive regulatory responses and international coordination.
—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
And there are no ego-destroying confrontations with people who know how to do things, who tell you that your idea is dumb.
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
The most dramatic confrontations took place this past winter in Minneapolis, but in the months since the federal government ended its occupation of that city, resistance has continued.
—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confrontations
Noun
-
At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.
-
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.
Noun
-
On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles.
-
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.
Noun
-
And then there’s the guy that had a lot of success, and through injuries or struggles, needs to change some things and adjust some things.
-
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
Noun
-
As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.
-
On Wednesday, Tillman won nine duels — the most of anyone who played on either side — and had five dangerous interceptions, a metric used in soccer that accounts for stopping an attack.
Noun
-
Being able to work through conflicts can often result in an even stronger bond.
-
China has helped cushion the global oil shock, seen its clean energy tech exports surge and framed the war in Iran as another example in which Chinese leadership could supersede the US in ending global conflicts.
Noun
-
Riders are screened before competitions and anyone considered too inexperienced is denied entry.
-
Olise’s five assists in France’s opening four games have been a ruthless continuation of his club form, having racked up 26 in all competitions for Bayern Munich last season.
Noun
-
At the time, Sackler offered no response to these contentions.
-
Nowhere is this reconciliation more evident than in the enduring contentions surrounding France’s Pacific territory of New Caledonia, also known as Kanak by its native community.
Cite this Entry
“Confrontations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confrontations. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
