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
Haley Parsley
june 17,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
The game followed a championship series filled with down-to-the-wire face-offs won by edge-of-your-seat buzzer beaters.
—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2026
The pair will face off in Round 32 of the 2026 World Cup in Dallas.
—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
Wahab and Hernandez will face-off in November’s general election for the district.
—
Haley Parsley
june 17,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
The game followed a championship series filled with down-to-the-wire face-offs won by edge-of-your-seat buzzer beaters.
—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Verb
On Tuesday, June 30, Mexico and Ecuador will face off at Estadio Azteca — known as Mexico City Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup — in the first knockout stage of the tournament.
—
Erin Lassner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2026
The pair will face off in Round 32 of the 2026 World Cup in Dallas.
—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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The Pride and Angel City have established a fierce rivalry in their short history.
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Spain and Portugal renew their historic rivalry, with Lamine Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo in contrasting lights.
Verb
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Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general, and Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to conservative British politicians, are competing to replace Newsom.
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According to Reuters, Gakpo was given time off to spend with his family, who are staying near the team base in Kansas City as the Netherlands competes in the World Cup.
Noun
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Riff argued the issue to halt the payout was not a legal battle but rather a political one.
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While the first half of the match was full of battles and speed runs from one goal to another, the players seem to be taking a more methodical pace after returning from the locker room.
Verb
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Shopping for cannabis based solely on THC percentage is fundamentally flawed, experts contend.
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Her attorneys contend the defendants used the litigation to portray her as dishonest, intimidate potential witnesses, fuel a public relations campaign against her and drive up the cost of her legal defense.
Noun
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The drama had returned, Scheffler and Hovland resumed their duel, with Morikawa watching hopefully, but helplessly.
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But when Aemond arrives unexpectedly, the castellan wonders if a duel can’t be avoided.
Verb
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In 2023, more than a decade after a experiencing season-ending racing injuries, Muniz decided to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing full-throttle and announced his return to stock car racing in the ARCA Menards Series.
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Ships raced through the night to reach New York Harbor, all trying to be first to dock at Ellis Island.
Noun
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Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.
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In an interview with Mental Floss, competitive eater Yasir Salem discusses how speed eaters will chew gum to strengthen their jaws to avoid fatigue during competitions.
Noun
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The prosecutor argued that Styles’ death was more than a confrontation.
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Yet despite his later involvement in politics, McCloskey remains most closely associated with the confrontation that unfolded outside his home in June 2020.
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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