as in competing
to engage in a contest
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
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Recent Examples of facing off
That’s to be expected for a team few thought would make the playoffs at the start of the year, facing off against the league’s top regular-season team.
—
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Patriots have a more difficult path to the postseason this year, facing off against one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In Yolo County, Ryan Davis, a former public defender who currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner hearing family law cases in Sacramento County, is facing off against Diane Ortiz, a Yolo County Deputy District Attorney.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Castro, who was elected to the commission in April 2023 and is frequently at odds with Lago, will be facing off against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez, an of-counsel attorney at DiFalco and Fernandez LLLP, for her Group 4 seat.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond are facing off for the critical seat ahead of the midterm elections.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Other moments involve the pair facing off with wild animals.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Tournament of Champions returned for its seventh season on March 1, with 32 chefs facing off in the kitchen.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Mills is facing off against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, in a high-profile Democratic primary.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Patriots have a more difficult path to the postseason this year, facing off against one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In Yolo County, Ryan Davis, a former public defender who currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner hearing family law cases in Sacramento County, is facing off against Diane Ortiz, a Yolo County Deputy District Attorney.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Castro, who was elected to the commission in April 2023 and is frequently at odds with Lago, will be facing off against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez, an of-counsel attorney at DiFalco and Fernandez LLLP, for her Group 4 seat.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond are facing off for the critical seat ahead of the midterm elections.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Other moments involve the pair facing off with wild animals.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Tournament of Champions returned for its seventh season on March 1, with 32 chefs facing off in the kitchen.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Mills is facing off against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, in a high-profile Democratic primary.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facing off
competing
Verb
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Teams are at the center of the action when competing against another, complete with the celebrations and disappointments that are the hallmarks of any game show.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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The competing offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo should answer that question.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Facing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facing%20off. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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