as in one-on-one
in direct confrontation or competition that inexperienced, upstart candidate will be going eyeball-to-eyeball with a senator who's a skilled debater

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for eyeball-to-eyeball
Adverb
  • Sandmann, then a Covington Catholic student, was at the center of a media firestorm after a video showed him face-to-face with a Native American elder.
    Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Once both animals are comfortable, a face-to-face introduction can occur.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Those players know it and get an up-close look at their award competition with six head-to-head matchups in September.
    Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • This year, Tillman went head-to-head with another Severance star Zach Cherry.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Arizona is honoring the lives of two fallen firefighters following a tragic head-on collision near Show Low.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Through this head-on approach, Gilbert is a master of upending audience expectations.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Eyeball-to-eyeball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eyeball-to-eyeball. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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