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
Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Greg's ominous dinner party, Zion's return, and Rick's face-off with his father's killer.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2025
Listen to this article Fresh off of getting his federal corruption case dropped, Mayor Adams plans to face off against his challengers in a candidates forum Thursday — one of his first major campaign appearances of the 2025 cycle.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
The face-off Tuesday between conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel and liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford has garnered attention from both parties beyond the Badger State’s borders.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Greg's ominous dinner party, Zion's return, and Rick's face-off with his father's killer.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
Rabinowitz and his new colleagues at Legal Aid were occasionally facing off against a former colleague.
—Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2025
Listen to this article Fresh off of getting his federal corruption case dropped, Mayor Adams plans to face off against his challengers in a candidates forum Thursday — one of his first major campaign appearances of the 2025 cycle.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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What has endured and evolved, however, is a fierce rivalry in an event that is now huge business, watched by up to 250,000 in person, millions more on television (the races are being screened live on BBC One) and sponsored by French luxury brand Chanel, no less.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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While known for his exceptional mic skills, Punk also consistently delivered in-ring performances, with his rivalry against John Cena and Rey Mysterio producing some of his most iconic bouts.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Battery startups have been hit hard by the changing policy landscape, the slowing EV market, and the reality of competing with China's low-cost lithium-ion batteries.—
Katie Fehrenbacher,
Axios,
7 Apr. 2025
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If the answer is anything but an unequivocal yes, the U.S. risks falling behind not just in business and innovation but in its ability to compete, protect and lead globally.—
Marty Sprinzen,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rather, Awuah-Darko wants his story to reach people, whether through Instagram or this article, who feel alone in their battles, even if that comes with backlash.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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For Episode 15 of the current 17th season that aired on April 11, 2025, the eliminated queens were spotlighted by returning to battle for a $50,000 prize in a series of emotional and high-energy lip syncs, as was the popular Korean drinking game that Rosé and Mars sing about in their duet.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Newsmax also contended that what Kelly said was protected opinion.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2025
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The pro-Trump side contends that Barrett’s facial expression and body language connote hostility, though such an interpretation is, at best, in the eye of the beholder.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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With a brewing 60 meter sprint race between NFL champion Tyreek Hill and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles locked in for sometime later this year, conversations have been running amok as to whether the crossover duel will actually field a competitive race.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Snell duels with Tarik Skubal, the incumbent AL Triple-Crowner and last year’s unanimous AL Cy Young.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lamar Jackson’s drive to win the battle of the famous No. 8s is racing on.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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And while some characters will be navigating the hierarchy and rules of high school, others will be racing from a dark past.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Another directorial debut, the French drama Partir un Jour from first-timer Amélie Bonnin, will open this year’s festival, screening out of competition.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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That also plays out of competition in Cannes Premiere.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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An eyewitness told police that the confrontation between the two boys began when Metcalf asked Anthony to move out from under the tent that had been set up for members of his high school track team on the field that day.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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There is a humiliation that is at play with the ankle monitor, and then the confrontation with Chad happening at my workplace is kind of her nightmare.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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