confront

[kuh n-fruhnt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR confront ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to face in hostility or defiance; oppose: The feuding factions confronted one another.

to present for acknowledgment, contradiction, etc.; set face to face: They confronted him with evidence of his crime.

to stand or come in front of; stand or meet facing: The two long-separated brothers confronted each other speechlessly.

to be in one's way: the numerous obstacles that still confronted him.

to bring together for examination or comparison.

Nearby words

Origin of confront

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin confrontārī, equivalent to Latin con- con- + -frontārī, derivative of Latin frōns forehead, front

Related formscon·front·al, con·front·ment, nouncon·front·er, nounre·con·front, verb (used with object)un·con·front·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for confront

After the six-week training, the forces will be deployed to confront the Islamic State, officials said.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’|Nancy A. Youssef|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Counter-protestors marched to confront the pro-police contingent, separated by barricades and uniformed officers.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was the first of the series of her fears that Sabrina had to confront.
How A Muslim Dad Reacted To His Daughter Coming Out|Moral Courage|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservatives have made clear they want Republican leaders to use the December deadline to confront the president on immigration.
The Coming GOP Freakout Over Immigration|Patricia Murphy|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

No matter what adversity or fear we may confront, we are always inherently free to choose how to be.
How One Lawsuit Shows What’s Wrong With America|James Poulos|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In captivity, having no web, it actually flees before its prey, and has not the resolution to confront a fly.
The Insect|Jules Michelet
But she is a shrewd child and, living a lonely life, has had ample time to consider the problems that confront her.
Mary Louise in the Country|L. Frank Baum (AKA Edith Van Dyne)
She turned to confront the startled eyes of the bride elect.
Miss Billy's Decision|Eleanor H. Porter
They confront us in different forms in connection with immigration, especially of Asiatics.
Woman in Modern Society|Earl Barnes
I will give him law enough to confute, and he shall furnish the insolence to confront this Attorney-General.
Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II.|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for confront

confront

verb (tr)

(usually foll by with) to present or face (with something), esp in order to accuse or criticize

to face boldly; oppose in hostility

to be face to face with; be in front of

to bring together for comparison

Derived Formsconfronter, noun

Word Origin for confront

C16: from Medieval Latin confrontārī to stand face to face with, from frons forehead

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

Word Origin and History for confront

confront

1560s, "to stand in front of," from Middle French confronter (15c.), from Medieval Latin confrontare "assign limits, adjoin," from Latin com- "together" (see com-) + frontem (nominative frons) "forehead" (see front (n.)). Sense of "to face in defiance or hostility" is late 16c. Related: Confronted; confronting.

confront

verb (used with object)

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of confront

Examples from the Web for confront

confront

verb (tr)

Word Origin for confront

confront