in the face of

1. When confronted with, as in It is hard for brokers to be cheerful in the face of a falling stock market . [Late 1800s]

2. Despite the opposition of, notwithstanding, as in In the face of published statistics, they insist there is no flu epidemic . [Early 1800s] Also see fly in the face of .

Example Sentences

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who made her name as state attorney general by filing lawsuits against the first Trump administration, said she would defend the freedoms of her people "in the face of any attempted federal overreach."

From Salon

If confirmed for his role by the US Senate, Hegseth will arrive at the Pentagon with decisions to make on issues such as military assistance for Israel during its campaign in Gaza, and on support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion.

From BBC

That helps prevent a president from being caught unprepared in the face of an early crisis.

From Los Angeles Times

If Trump thinks Putin actually will refrain from stepping up attacks on Ukraine as a friendly favor … well, maybe our once-and-future president will learn a lesson about the limits of personal relations in the face of perceived national interests early in his second term.

From Slate

The problem for the head of PGMOL, Howard Webb, is that Coote’s words, should they be confirmed as genuine, will fly in the face of that belief to many, going to the heart of what should be every official’s personal code.

From BBC

Related Words

• in spite of
• regardless of