confront

[ kuhn-fruhnt ]

/ kənˈfrʌnt /

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See synonyms for: confront / confronted / confronting 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 face and deal with boldly or directly: The city refuses to confront the real reason for the housing shortage.

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.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

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shall

should

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Origin of confront

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin confrontārī, equivalent to Latin con-, variant of intensive prefix com- + -frontārī, derivative of Latin frōns (stem front- ) “forehead”; see origin at con-, front

OTHER WORDS FROM confront

con·front·er, nounre·con·front, verb (used with object)un·con·front·ed, adjective

Words nearby confront

confound, confounded, confounding, confraternity, confrere, confront, confrontation, confrontational, confrontationist, Confucian, Confucianism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use confront in a sentence

Now is the time to launch a National Energy Innovation Mission to confront the climate crisis and lead the transition to clean energy.
To confront the climate crisis, the US should launch a National Energy Innovation Mission|Amy Nordrum|September 15, 2020|MIT Technology Review
For years, Americans have avoided confronting these changes in their own backyards.
Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration|by Abrahm Lustgarten, photography by Meridith Kohut|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
One major reason an evolutionary perspective on our own behavior can be so confronting is that it doesn’t take our word for why we do things.
The Dark Side of Smart - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|September 15, 2020|Nautilus
She was used to controlling a room as a public safety officer, stopping fights and confronting abusers.
The Woman Propositioned by Alaska’s Former Lieutenant Governor Tells Her Story for the First Time|by Kyle Hopkins and Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News|September 10, 2020|ProPublica

The changing face of brick-and-mortar retail requires that our city leaders, planners and urban designers confront this new equation.
Myths and Shame Shouldn’t Guide Cannabis Regulations|John Bertsch|September 8, 2020|Voice of San Diego
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
A fellow rudely clad—a hybrid between man-at-arms and lackey—lounged on a musket to confront them in the gateway.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Merrill dropped the meat he was dragging over the floor, and turned to confront Alessandro's eyes.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
She was summoned to present herself before the Convention, to confront her accuser, and defend herself from the scaffold.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Many difficulties confront the translator in the preparation of material of this nature, involving names, dates and titles.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
With a gasp of dismay young Richard twisted in his chair to confront this fresh and unsuspected antagonist.
Mistress Wilding|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for confront

confront

/ (kənˈfrʌnt) /

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 forms of confront

confronter, 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

confront

Origin of confront

OTHER WORDS FROM confront

Words nearby confront

Words related to confront

How to use confront in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for confront

Derived forms of confront

Word Origin for confront