confrontation

[ kon-fruhn-tey-shuhn, -fruhn- ]

noun

1. an act of confronting.
2. the state of being confronted.
3. a meeting of persons face to face.
4. an open conflict of opposing ideas, forces, etc.
5. a bringing together of ideas, themes, etc., for comparison.
6. Psychology. a technique used in group therapy, as in encounter groups, in which one is forced to recognize one's shortcomings and their possible consequences.

confrontation

/ kɒnˈfrʌntmənt; ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of confronting
2. a situation of mutual hostility between two powers or nations without open warfare
3. a state of conflict between two antagonistic forces, creeds, or ideas etc

Derived Forms

• ˌconfronˈtational, adjective

Other Words From

• non·con·fron·ta·tion noun
• re·con·fron·ta·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of confrontation¹

First recorded in 1625–35; confront + -ation; compare Medieval Latin confrontātiō, French, Middle French confrontation

Example Sentences

Kurzel deliberately worked out the schedule so the two actors could be kept apart until that confrontation, bringing an extra charge to the moment as their characters size each other up.

From Los Angeles Times

However in a written incident report, the officer – who had been stood down from the police force while facing court – said he deployed his Taser because he felt a “violent confrontation was imminent”.

From BBC

The motorist was a domestic violence suspect, and the confrontation took place following a police pursuit that ended near the 4000 block of West Jefferson Boulevard in West Adams, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

This incident, coupled with a physical confrontation between the couple in which Abida emerged victorious, put an end to the custody dispute.

From BBC

In Moscow, the Kremlin said the Biden administration’s decision was a major step toward a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

From New York Times

Related Words

• battle
• contest
• crisis
• dispute
• encounter
• fight
• meeting
• showdown
• strife