as in rivalries
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of face-offs
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
Much of the credit goes to the defense and to Andrew Golden, a junior who handles face-offs.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
The plan is for the star forward to take face-offs again.
—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
The film’s centerpieces are the face-offs between Plemons’ Teddy and Stone’s CEO.
—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2026
Turcotte has been an efficient point producer relative to his ice time, boasts strong two-way metrics, and has won nearly 56 percent of his face-offs this year.
—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
The film keeps pace through toe-curlingly tense table tennis face-offs, high-stakes hustles, and a jaw-dropping scene involving a bathtub that honestly puts Saltburn to shame.
—
Anastasia Sanger,
Glamour,
22 Dec. 2025
Several of these races have attracted attention beyond their city limits, for interesting face-offs or for their potential to signal where some states and districts could be leaning as next year's midterm elections draw closer.
—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Much of the credit goes to the defense and to Andrew Golden, a junior who handles face-offs.
—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
The plan is for the star forward to take face-offs again.
—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
The film’s centerpieces are the face-offs between Plemons’ Teddy and Stone’s CEO.
—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2026
Turcotte has been an efficient point producer relative to his ice time, boasts strong two-way metrics, and has won nearly 56 percent of his face-offs this year.
—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
The film keeps pace through toe-curlingly tense table tennis face-offs, high-stakes hustles, and a jaw-dropping scene involving a bathtub that honestly puts Saltburn to shame.
—
Anastasia Sanger,
Glamour,
22 Dec. 2025
Several of these races have attracted attention beyond their city limits, for interesting face-offs or for their potential to signal where some states and districts could be leaning as next year's midterm elections draw closer.
—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-offs
Noun
-
At a time when the news cycle seems to serve up nothing but conflict, crisis and woe, the World Cup offers shelter, a truly international event in which conflict is defined by long-term sports rivalries and questionable referee decisions.
-
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly looking to pair James with Stephen Curry, which would turn one of the NBA's greatest rivalries into two of the game's greatest stars fighting for their fifth title together.
Noun
-
On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the action in Ukraine to receive a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka after weeks of intense street battles.
-
Legal battles can discourage farmers Mora said the years-long litigation has left him feeling frustrated and defenseless.
Noun
-
As with many Latin American and African teams, Paraguay defend deep and are extremely physical in duels and aerial battles.
-
On Wednesday, Tillman won nine duels — the most of anyone who played on either side — and had five dangerous interceptions, a metric used in soccer that accounts for stopping an attack.
Noun
-
Drama unfolds as tears are shed, confrontations occur and someone is asked to leave.
-
Ever delves into catastrophic confrontations over fences, noise, and general bad behavior.
Noun
-
Riders are screened before competitions and anyone considered too inexperienced is denied entry.
-
Olise’s five assists in France’s opening four games have been a ruthless continuation of his club form, having racked up 26 in all competitions for Bayern Munich last season.
Noun
-
And then there’s the guy that had a lot of success, and through injuries or struggles, needs to change some things and adjust some things.
-
The actress spent a few years away from Hollywood, working at a treatment center after her own struggles with substance abuse.
Noun
-
Meanwhile, in suburban areas and in statewide contests establishment Democrats generally are winning against progressive challengers.
-
Rodriguez, who has expressed some interest in the proposal, said city leaders had not determined how county election officials would issue separate ballots for voters who would be barred from state and national contests.
Noun
-
Being able to work through conflicts can often result in an even stronger bond.
-
China has helped cushion the global oil shock, seen its clean energy tech exports surge and framed the war in Iran as another example in which Chinese leadership could supersede the US in ending global conflicts.
Cite this Entry
“Face-offs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-offs. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
