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
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 27 May 2025
In the second face-off for Tom Cruise with Lilo & Stitch (his Minority Report inched out the blue alien at the June 21-23, 2002 weekend box office, $35.6M to $35.2M).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025
The two deepest starting lineups in the league face off.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
And North also has a rejoinder for this year’s face-off.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 27 May 2025
In the second face-off for Tom Cruise with Lilo & Stitch (his Minority Report inched out the blue alien at the June 21-23, 2002 weekend box office, $35.6M to $35.2M).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Verb
The final competition involved challengers facing off to hoist five stones, weighing between 331 to 460 pounds, atop a pillar.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025
The two deepest starting lineups in the league face off.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
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How can the club improve its image around the world, where international fans are less concerned with local rivalries?—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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This is also a historic rivalry, so that's why so many people are tuning in.—
Ryan Stano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Cosmetics hosted a kickoff party celebrating Katherine Legge, who was the only woman to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series' BetMGM 300 Saturday, and is the only woman currently competing in the NASCAR Cup & NASCAR Xfinity Series.—
People Staff,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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On March 8, 1990, when Lyle was arrested in connection with their parents' murders, Erik was competing in a tennis tournament in Israel.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
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Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
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Critics have long contended that the position amounted to little more than a fig leaf, albeit one that still managed to occupy a few seats at the national policy-making table.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
29 May 2025
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At worst, Nomura is probably contending for a stint on the practice squad.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The game had the look of a pitchers’ duel going into the ninth inning with first-place Philadelphia leading 1-0 thanks to a home run from Trea Turner leading off the game.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
24 May 2025
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May departed with the Dodgers trailing 1-0 and was initially in line to be the hard-luck loser of a pitchers’ duel with Burnes, but Hernandez changed that with one swing.—
Kyle Glaser,
Oc Register,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Over the past century the price of gold has raced at a 2.2% average annual rate above inflation.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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With Luke slipping beyond reach, Elyse must race to save him and destroy the source before the company consumes him completely.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
22 May 2025
Noun
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For Case, the Welsh race in mid-May was her first big competition since the summer of 2022: the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run in Colorado.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
30 May 2025
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The Diamond League was the premier series of competition in the sport for a long time and still holds that title due to its longevity and structure.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
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After the tense confrontation, the expecting mom went on to refer to the villain arc fans observed from Engemann during season 2 of the hit show.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
22 May 2025
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Manuel Vega Lopez, 51, died of gunshot wounds following a confrontation outside a Gilbert home shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, police said in a news release.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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