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

/ ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃən; kɒnˈfrʌntmənt /

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

For obvious reasons, that increases the likelihood of a violent confrontation.

From FiveThirtyEight

The app’s developers claimed the app fostered public safety by letting users locate and avoid confrontations between protesters and police.

From Fortune

After a confrontation in which he fatally shot one man, police say, Rittenhouse fell while being chased by people trying to disarm him.

From Fortune

The confrontation, resolved over the weekend, is the latest in a string of clashes centering on the software sales-related growth engine of America’s most valuable company.

From Fortune

A confrontation with the police could have been very dangerous for Cooper.

From Science News For Students

Their confrontation at dinner was, without a doubt, the highlight of the episode.

From The Daily Beast

Rioting, shoplifting, and violent confrontation with the police took place shortly thereafter.

From The Daily Beast

A video of the confrontation shot by a bystander shows Garner surrounded by a group of police officers.

From The Daily Beast

I need some stimulation in my blood,” Bergesio says, “and here you have confrontation.

From The Daily Beast

Charles Barkley has never been one to shy away from confrontation both on and off the basketball court.

From The Daily Beast

Never did God, who delights in antitheses, produce a more striking contrast, or a more extraordinary confrontation.

From Project Gutenberg

The test of a civilized person is first self-awareness, and then depth after depth of sincerity in self-confrontation.

From Project Gutenberg

And this new confrontation with another and still newer world, with another Unknown, demands a new religion, a new God.

From Project Gutenberg

But he cursed himself for a fool and a coward, not to have gone away—abroad—long ere such a possible confrontation threatened him.

From Project Gutenberg

At last she saw his table, and the direct confrontation of his stare.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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