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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Recent Examples of face-off
Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
But he’s actually got an entertainingly loopy idea: to goad President Ross, his former captor, into a military face-off with Japan over the ownership of a cache of adamantium.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
Pueng Vongs, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
Orlando City struggled to score throughout 2024, and facing off against a team in transition could be the perfect opportunity to find their form early in the season.
—Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
Players who for years were starved for the chance to play meaningful games on behalf of their country now would be able to face-off for international bragging rights.
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2025
But he’s actually got an entertainingly loopy idea: to goad President Ross, his former captor, into a military face-off with Japan over the ownership of a cache of adamantium.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Giants take on the Texas Rangers and the A’s face off against the San Diego Padres.
—Pueng Vongs, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
Orlando City struggled to score throughout 2024, and facing off against a team in transition could be the perfect opportunity to find their form early in the season.
—Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are off the injury report for this game, giving themselves the green light for this rivalry game.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
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Even today, gangsta and drill rappers make headlines right here in Chicago when their music explodes into rivalries and retaliatory murders.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Frazer Harrison | Getty Images Two best actor nominees are competing for Oscar records, as noted by the BBC.—
Sarah Whitten,Sara Salinas,Russell Leung,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2025
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Pakistan competed with 16 other countries for a chance to host International Cricket Council events taking place between 2024 and 2031.—
Betsy Joles,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Just last month at the NFL Scouting Combine, GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales stressed the importance of battle in the trenches.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2025
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After routing 5-seed Villanova 82-54 in the semifinals on Sunday, the Huskies advance to face No. 23 Creighton for a battle between the top two seeds in the conference title game.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The town also contends the aquifer nearby could be in jeopardy if a battery fire releases chemicals.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
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In place of lockdowns, the statement contended, the nation could simply let infections spread among most of the population while the old and infirm remained in relative isolation.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Another ancestor had been on the Hudson River, in 1804, when Alexander Hamilton was being rowed back to Manhattan after his duel with Aaron Burr.—
Ian Frazier,
The New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2025
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Just 26, Cindric won the second Daytona duel Thursday night in a photo finish and will sit on the front row to start Sunday’s race.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Losing at this point is very expensive, because all the teams are racing [for the title] and we...—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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Congressional negotiators are racing to reach a government funding agreement by a March 14 deadline to avert a shutdown, as several key factors strain bipartisan talks.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For the final 45 minutes, a group of six Benedictine male athletes joined to give the Eagles some outside competition.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
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But competition in the car industry was also a factor.—
Neha Hegde,Christine Tan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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During the race, a confrontation erupted between Sheldon Creed and Jesse Love.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Whether through an in-ring appearance or a post-match confrontation, her involvement could set up a major WrestleMania feud, particularly within the women’s division.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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