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View synonyms for encounter

encounter

[ en-koun-ter ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly:

    to encounter a new situation.

  2. to meet with or contend against (difficulties, opposition, etc.):

    We encounter so many problems in our work.

  3. to meet (a person, military force, etc.) in conflict:

    We will encounter the enemy at dawn.



verb (used without object)

  1. to meet, especially unexpectedly or in conflict:

    We were angry when we encountered, but we parted with smiles.

noun

  1. a meeting with a person or thing, especially a casual, unexpected, or brief meeting:

    Our running into each other was merely a chance encounter.

  2. a meeting of persons or groups that are in conflict or opposition; combat; battle:

    Another such encounter and we may lose the war.

  3. Psychology. a meeting of two or more people, as the members of an encounter group or a number of married couples marriage encounter, conducted to promote direct emotional confrontations among the participants, especially as a form of therapy encountertherapy.

encounter

/ ɪnˈkaʊntə /

verb

  1. to come upon or meet casually or unexpectedly
  2. to come into conflict with (an enemy, army, etc) in battle or contest
  3. tr to be faced with; contend with

    he encounters many obstacles in his work

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. a meeting with a person or thing, esp when casual or unexpected
  2. a hostile meeting; contest or conflict
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • enˈcounterer, noun
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Other Words From

  • en·counter·er noun
  • preen·counter noun verb (used with object)
  • reen·counter verb noun
  • unen·countered adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of encounter1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English encountren, from Anglo-French enco(u)ntrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unrecorded), equivalent to in- in- 1 + -contrāre, verb suffix derived from contrā “against”; counter 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of encounter1

C13: from Old French encontrer, from Vulgar Latin incontrāre (unattested), from Latin in- ² + contrā against, opposite
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Example Sentences

A new opinion paper assesses one way in which we might be able to learn from our encounters with smallpox.

Walker’s deputy chief of staff at the time, Jang, said Potts told her just before the encounter that she was expecting to meet with Walker as well as Mallott.

The most touching things were the encounters I would have … when a kid with so much on the line quietly comes out to you while shaking your hand, passes you a note, and you’re just thinking about what that kid might be up against.

From Ozy

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, all Republicans, wore masks in encounters with the president in the last week.

From Fortune

Several police groups issued a statement ahead of the hearing saying the board would invite “members whose qualifications are inherently based on negative encounters with peace officers.”

Hatuey replied that he would rather burn and be sent to hell than ever again encounter people as cruel as the Spanish.

This is heartfelt music, and after a first encounter you will find yourself coming back for more.

Instead, she says other people she has shared the story with described the sexual encounter as rape.

Outside of that one encounter, however, Moses is pretty meek.

What if healthy sexuality was the framework that young adults used to process every sexual message that they encounter?

All along the highways and by-paths of our literature we encounter much that pertains to this "queen of plants."

If now we turn to the higher aspects of form, such as symmetry and proportion, we encounter a difficulty.

During his mild régime the insurrection increased rapidly, and in one encounter he himself was very near falling a prisoner.

Following the boys, Baptiste entered by the kitchen door to encounter the mother and three daughters preparing the meal.

Monsieur Quérin saluted and declared himself enchanted at the encounter.

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