as in head-to-head
in direct confrontation or competition
mom-and-pop grocery stores are usually wildly outmatched when they go toe-to-toe with large chain stores
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toe-to-toe
Adverb
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The Lakers, who are now tied with the Denver Nuggets (50-28), record-wise, own the head-to-head tiebreakers over the Nuggets and the fifth-place Houston Rockets (48-29).—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026 -
When Illinois takes on UConn on Saturday in the opening semifinal of the Final Four in Indy, the Illini coach and ringleader will go head-to-head against Dan Hurley, a two-time national champion whose fiery reputation makes Underwood’s demeanor look almost passive in comparison.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Authorities in northern Minnesota believe alcohol was a factor in a head-on car crash Sunday evening that left two adults dead and two children injured.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Power drove through the gravel and head-on into the barrier.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The two sides have been exchanging messages via intermediaries in third-party countries including Pakistan, but no face-to-face talks have been arranged.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
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This stems from multiple violent incidents involving police in Baltimore County within the last year, including two instances in which John Haley came face-to-face with officers.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Toe-to-toe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toe-to-toe. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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