encounter
verb (used with object)
to come upon or meet with, especially unexpectedly.
are encountering
-
present progressiveof encounter.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As more than two million freshmen arrive at college this fall, many are encountering civic-dialogue programs—an effort to build bridges across political divides.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
“They are encountering people they don’t know anything about,” said Scott Shuchart, a former assistant director at ICE.
From Salon ● Jan. 14, 2026
“This is the first time in 30 years that we are encountering this kind of intransigence,” said Massarelli, who is working on the antidumping cases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2025
Based on Rosie's reaction to school, an educational psychologist who assessed her noted she had "emotionally based school avoidance" or EBSA, a condition school leaders say they are encountering more.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2025
They forget that their readers are encountering the event for the first time and need to see it enacted with their own eyes'.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
