confrontation

[ kon-fruhn-tey-shuhn, -fruhn- ]

noun

1. an act of confronting.
2. the state of being confronted.
3. a meeting of persons face to face.
4. an open conflict of opposing ideas, forces, etc.
5. a bringing together of ideas, themes, etc., for comparison.
6. Psychology. a technique used in group therapy, as in encounter groups, in which one is forced to recognize one's shortcomings and their possible consequences.

confrontation

/ kɒnˈfrʌntmənt; ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of confronting
2. a situation of mutual hostility between two powers or nations without open warfare
3. a state of conflict between two antagonistic forces, creeds, or ideas etc

Derived Forms

• ˌconfronˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• non·con·fron·ta·tion noun
• re·con·fron·ta·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confrontation¹

First recorded in 1625–35; confront + -ation; compare Medieval Latin confrontātiō, French, Middle French confrontation

Example Sentences

Hours after our confrontation outside the site of the Zhuhai attack, carloads of police had arrived to better manage the situation.

From BBC

When there’s a long, shared history, as is the case with David and Benji, two people can “hold each other accountable” and deal with confrontation in ways rarely explored in film otherwise, she points out.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, the march toward nuclear confrontation has accelerated worldwide.

From Salon

After his humbling first confrontation with Harris, Trump didn’t agree to any other debates.

From Los Angeles Times

But at a certain point, the pattern looks like a simple fear of confrontation itself.

From Slate

Related Words

• battle
• contest
• crisis
• dispute
• encounter
• fight
• meeting
• showdown
• strife