1
as in to meet
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance
we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encounter
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 July 2026
One Maryland family of five was left paying $13,000 out of pocket after their dogs encountered a rabid raccoon, 12 on Your Side reports.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Those records don't matter anymore, and a place in the Round of 16 awaits the winner of today's encounter.
—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Verb
Turistas followed a group of American tourists who encounter an organ trafficking operation while backpacking in Brazil.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 July 2026
One Maryland family of five was left paying $13,000 out of pocket after their dogs encountered a rabid raccoon, 12 on Your Side reports.
—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Noun
The encounter began after Officer Yasmani Gonzalez attempted to stop Calvo for making a left turn from a lane designated for right turns only.
—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Those records don't matter anymore, and a place in the Round of 16 awaits the winner of today's encounter.
—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for encounter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounter
Verb
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The pair met in English class on the first day of their freshman year.
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The platform is scalable and can be deployed to meet the power demands of AI data centers and even support the grid.
Verb
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Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
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His attorneys contend the containers found on Pino’s boat were collected from other friends’ vessels partying with them on the sandbar that day.
Verb
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But the court also said the people facing deportation must pursue their cases individually where they are being held, under what are called habeas petitions, rather than collectively, under what is called a class action.
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The University of California Health system and Cigna, facing a July 1 deadline to reach a new contract covering a large group of Sacramento-area patients, have agreed to an extension to allow more time for negotiations.
Noun
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While the war ended years before, the hostility spread from the stands — with skirmishes among supporters — into the field, when Maradona tricked the referee and the world with the World Cup’s most infamous goal, punching the ball into the net with his fist above England’s goalie Peter Shilton.
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Continue reading … — Two arrested as skirmishes erupt outside courthouse after Karmelo Anthony verdict.
Verb
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When confronted by lawmakers and journalists, Adorni has struggled to explain the inconsistency between his lavish spending and modest salary.
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Joe and Angela eventually confront their own marital fractures, including Angela's desire for attention and their lack of intimacy.
Noun
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The commission said there were four reports of consumers seeking medical treatment after swallowing the metal bristles, and customers were advised to stop using the products and request a replacement nylon grill brush.
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That tiny brush off his head – maybe even just the tips of his hair – meant Pašalić was offside and the goal was rightly ruled out.
Verb
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Maxxine battled back, but Raquel caught a spinning kick attempt and stuck Maxxine with a Tejana Bomb for the win.
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Officers were stationed at exit routes, aimed at catching the participants.
Noun
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What is clear is that centrist Democrats haven’t mounted much of a fight.
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Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.
Cite this Entry
“Encounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounter. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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