encounter 1 of 2

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2
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as in to face
to enter into contest or conflict with the troops encountered bands of guerrilla fighters as they made their way across the desert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

encounter

2 of 2

noun

as in skirmish
a brief clash between enemies or rivals survived an encounter with the school bully at the local park

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 encounter
Verb
Fans will recall a scene where a much younger Georgia encountered Joe, took those sunglasses from him and left. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 June 2025 But like the Europeans involved in the Normandy talks, Trump too is encountering similar barriers to any meaningful progress. Anna Batta, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
Noun
In messages to Combs shown in court, Mia described some of these encounters. Jenna Sundel joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025 Israeli troops had cut down a tree in Lebanese territory which was obscuring their view, prompting a Lebanese soldier to fire warning shots, an encounter that spiralled into clashes. Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for encounter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter
Verb
  • Hong Kong’s relentless pace has inspired a wellness revolution where ancient rituals meet cutting-edge science.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • The diplomat noted that the consulate is assisting Hondurans even without appointments and has opened on Saturdays to meet demand.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Stay away from open fields, hill summits, or ridge tops.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
  • Fears that a serial killer is at large were reignited by the recent discovery of a body in a Texas lake, where 19 corpses have been found over the past three years.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Instead, as Apple heads into this year’s showcase, the company faces nagging questions about whether the nearly 50-year-old company has lost some of the mystique and innovative drive that turned it into a tech trendsetter.
    Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Palestinian medical residents faced extra obstacles when competing for positions in such fields as obstetrics and gynecology, which was Qasem Hassan’s preference.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • One skirmish involved the arrest of a union leader, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union of California, who said he was injured and detained by ICE.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 9 June 2025
  • Alongside Israeli military drills, stalled diplomatic talks, and proxy skirmishes, these hostile warnings signal a dangerous escalation.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • If things feel overwhelming, consider this a green light to address the situation and confront what’s been lingering beneath the surface.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 June 2025
  • Drawing from figures like James Baldwin and Richard Pryor, the artist confronts the failures of representation through works that are at once minimalist and deeply charged.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The shape of the head was obscured by energetic sweeps of the brush in black and blue, with a splash of yellow bursting from the area where a jawbone had been, and might be again.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • Martinez’s brush with the law doesn’t end there, as he’s had a litany of criminal charges filed against him in Miami-Dade and Broward counties over the last decade, court records show.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Fans lined up early and made signs to catch a glimpse of the future star.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • On his Instagram Stories, Brady gave fans a glimpse into the father-son duo's time on the water, alongside a selfie of them catching some rays.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • This is not the first time a fight has broken out at a Disney park.
    Moná Thomas, People.com, 3 June 2025
  • Fernandez’s defense attorney said a fight had broken out, and the dad ran across the street to check it out when his son ran after him and was hit.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounter. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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