1
as in meets
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 finds
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
3
as in faces
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encounters
Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Every few years, usually in December, the system encounters a Dunkelflaute — an energy drought lasting a week or two, with little wind and little sun.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
One of the most painful issues Shanda encounters is judgment.
—Adrienne Farr, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
Violet hosts a grand masquerade ball, where Benedict first encounters the mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha), who is actually Sophie Baek, the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell (Beef, The Bear), is a psychological thriller that follows an introverted 20-something retail clerk, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), who encounters Oliver (Archie Madekwe), a popular and charismatic musician.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
In this case, as the rain drop continues its journey down to the ground and encounters air below freezing, the liquid rain then freezes into an ice pellet, sleet.
—Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Further confirmation that the Enclave was behind all of this comes in a flashback, when Barb encounters none other than Wilzig (Michael Emerson, now with a body) in an elevator at Vault-Tec HQ.
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
One study of more than 1,100-plus patient encounters found that remote patient monitoring cut hospitalizations by nearly 60%.
—Paul Hudson, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
California followed with four terrifying encounters.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
In his view, the state should cooperate with ICE, which in turn would help the agency focus on arresting people with criminal histories while reducing the likelihood of violent encounters between federal officers and the public.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
But encounters like Ramirez's have become increasingly common.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Immigration status would become a routine component of safety encounters, increasing the likelihood that enforcement decisions hinge on paperwork interpretation instead of driving performance or vehicle condition.
—Bhupinder Kaur, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Days later, the administration removed Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, who was often present at violent encounters with protesters and arrests of immigrants.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
The hospital, which has approximately 28,000 patient encounters each year that qualify for health levy funding, can not risk losing any of the city funding, Meaney said.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
When a kid encounters a difficult teacher, a parent might want to intervene.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Every few years, usually in December, the system encounters a Dunkelflaute — an energy drought lasting a week or two, with little wind and little sun.
—Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
One of the most painful issues Shanda encounters is judgment.
—Adrienne Farr, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
Violet hosts a grand masquerade ball, where Benedict first encounters the mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha), who is actually Sophie Baek, the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell (Beef, The Bear), is a psychological thriller that follows an introverted 20-something retail clerk, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), who encounters Oliver (Archie Madekwe), a popular and charismatic musician.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
But when the orchestra encounters a complex jazz composition with conflicting time signatures, dissonant harmonies or sections requiring improvisation, the musicians need greater coordination.
—Ricky J. Sethi, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
In this case, as the rain drop continues its journey down to the ground and encounters air below freezing, the liquid rain then freezes into an ice pellet, sleet.
—Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Further confirmation that the Enclave was behind all of this comes in a flashback, when Barb encounters none other than Wilzig (Michael Emerson, now with a body) in an elevator at Vault-Tec HQ.
—Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Those physical encounters, which SDFC’s players seemed to relish, likely added to Pumas’ attrition.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
One study of more than 1,100-plus patient encounters found that remote patient monitoring cut hospitalizations by nearly 60%.
—Paul Hudson, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
California followed with four terrifying encounters.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
In his view, the state should cooperate with ICE, which in turn would help the agency focus on arresting people with criminal histories while reducing the likelihood of violent encounters between federal officers and the public.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
But encounters like Ramirez's have become increasingly common.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Immigration status would become a routine component of safety encounters, increasing the likelihood that enforcement decisions hinge on paperwork interpretation instead of driving performance or vehicle condition.
—Bhupinder Kaur, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Days later, the administration removed Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, who was often present at violent encounters with protesters and arrests of immigrants.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
The hospital, which has approximately 28,000 patient encounters each year that qualify for health levy funding, can not risk losing any of the city funding, Meaney said.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounters
Verb
-
Accessibility The hotel meets ADA standards with appropriate accessibility features, ramps, and elevators throughout the property.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
But then Davis meets up with his boss, Money, played by Nick Nolte with an old man’s jagged rasp as dramatic as his wry middle-aged intensity used to be.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That’s later, though, after Angie manages to jam her finger in the door while wearing an inflatable seahorse costume and the whole crew somehow finds the time to get ready in really elaborate zombie makeup.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
My favorite finds are scent twins with luxe brands like Le Labo, Chanel, Dior, and Gucci—just to name drop a few.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Upon returning, the couple faces threatening neighbors and uncovers dark neighborhood secrets.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And while his 11 years with the Yankees were often marked with verbal skirmishes with George Steinbrenner, in 1982 the Boss showed his respect for Nettles’ baseball acumen and quiet clubhouse leadership to name him the first Yankee captain since Thurman Munson’s death in 1979.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
These were not skirmishes but full-scale conflicts, usually costing tens—sometimes hundreds—of thousands of lives.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With a tone that's equally anxious and lovesick, the British singer confronts domestic bliss and finds her stride.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What to do about the crisis that sociology confronts?—
Wendy Nelson Espeland,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The House Ethics Committee, which is comprised of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans and tries to stay away from political fights, typically handles allegations involving lawmakers and their family members.—
Stephen Groves,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Pavel Rodon, manager of Havana 1957, said there were fewer fights and better control last year, but the barricades in front of his restaurant also hurt business.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To wit, lymphatic brushes join the ranks of depuffing tools like gua shas, face rollers, and dry brushes; most working to stimulate lymphatic drainage, your body’s natural detoxification process.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As disarming as Rockwell is with his wry balance of doofus, savant and wiseass, and as capable as Verbinski is at keeping the brushes with death coming at a sustained pace, the movie feels most original in its flashbacks.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encounters. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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