confrontation

American  

[kon-fruhn-tey-shuhn, -fruhn-] / ˌkɒn frənˈteɪ ʃən, -frʌn- /

Rarely confrontal

noun

• confrontations
  plural

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.

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confrontation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonconfrontation
  noun
• reconfrontation
  noun
• confrontational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• confrontations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of confrontation

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

Explanation

A confrontation is an angry disagreement. You might become so irritated about your upstairs neighbor's loud, awful music that a confrontation is unavoidable. Confrontation implies hostility, although like a fight, a confrontation can involve actual violence, or just a clash of words. A confrontation often refers to a military encounter involving opposing armies. This meaning became popular after the Cuban missile crisis in 1963. Before that, confrontation was used to mean "bringing two opposing parties face to face," from the Latin word confrontationem.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

confrontation confrontations

The judge also claimed that Byrd and Roberts “outnumbered” Powers, failing to note that his 14-year-old companion was present and—according to witness testimony—armed during the confrontation.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

Iran’s firm tone is helping keep some premium in oil prices despite easing risks of a military confrontation, Assir added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

During a confrontation between Miguel Almirón and Turkey’s Mert Muldur, the Paraguayan star covered his mouth while speaking aggressively to his opponent.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

The shift in tone marks a turning point following nearly two years of fierce confrontation over UniCredit's attempt to take control of the German bank.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

Another confrontation seemed inevitable, and part of him simply wanted to get it over with.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Palestinian security camera video shared with the BBC showed confrontations between Israeli soldiers and border police and a large crowd of settlers.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

A graduation photo ended Ipswich’s playoff run, sparking outrage, confrontations and a ‘CSI-level investigation.’

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

Collina has brought in red cards for players who cover their mouths in confrontations, and those who leave the field in protest at a decision.

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026

Sheinbaum said fences will be installed to prevent confrontations between police and protesters in the Zócalo.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

There are almost no characters in this story, and almost no dramatic confrontations, because most of the people in it are so sick and so much the listless playthings of enormous forces.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

Related Words

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