as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of face-off
Paul Begala, New York Times, 31 May 2025
But Lijn’s mechanized drama is a resolutely feminist one, a face-off between two cyborgs who both conjure and complicate the archetypes of the nature goddess and the murderous woman.
—Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
But images and video showing flag-waving protesters facing off with police have drawn anger from Republican officials.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
Texans had ongoing, bloody face-offs with Mexicans to their south, and Comanches in their midst.
—Paul Begala, New York Times, 31 May 2025
But Lijn’s mechanized drama is a resolutely feminist one, a face-off between two cyborgs who both conjure and complicate the archetypes of the nature goddess and the murderous woman.
—Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Verb
Police face off with immigrant rights protesters in the Loop on June 10, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
But images and video showing flag-waving protesters facing off with police have drawn anger from Republican officials.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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Rivals follows the rivalry between an old money MP, Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Tony, Lord Baddingham (David Tennant), who clash over control of a fictional independent TV station in the 1980s.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
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According to a report from TMZ Sports, the on-screen rivalry has become deeply personal.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Verb
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Tha Carter revealed a new artist—one who could make hits and compete lyrically with not just his labelmates, but hip-hop’s elite, like his idol Jay-Z. C1 has been largely eclipsed in the public imagination by its Carter successors, but remains the most upbeat and bouncy of the series.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
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Those chasing the next AI tool without solving their data issues will struggle to compete.—
Hariharan Kolam,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The two journalists paid tribute to the late MTV VJ, who died Wednesday following a prolonged battle with breast cancer, during a CNN segment on Thursday.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
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Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ and talk show host, has died after a six-year battle with breast cancer.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The defense contends the government’s approach was designed to imply corruption, alleging misconduct on Diddy’s part in obstructing justice.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
9 June 2025
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The ruling Liberal Democratic Party contends that opening royal status to commoners is just one step down a path that will ultimately lead to the abandonment of patrilineal legitimacy, ultimately discarding the sacred Y chromosome.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Above, a curious duel unfolded: a seagull clashing mid-air with a hovering drone.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
5 June 2025
Verb
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This time, the Stig (aka Ben Collins) raced a Praga Bohema, a car that produces less than half the power produced by modern-day hypercars.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2025
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The Russian, who was one of the pre-tournament favorites, raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set but cracked after a missed backhand gave Boisson a hold of serve.—
Manasi Pathak,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Both vodkas have consistently earned medals in international spirit competitions.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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The fellowship already has a partnership with the Austin Film Festival’s script competition.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Noun
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The tense confrontation was the latest flashpoint between the Trump administration and Chicago over immigration policies — a potentially ominous sign for what’s ahead for the nation’s third-largest city, which has long been in the president’s crosshairs.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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In the ensuing violent confrontation, her son is killed.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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