in the face of
Idioms-
Despite the opposition of, notwithstanding, as in In the face of published statistics, they insist there is no flu epidemic . [Early 1800s] Also see fly in the face of .
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When confronted with, as in It is hard for brokers to be cheerful in the face of a falling stock market . [Late 1800s]
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.
GM meetings are generally the precursor to the more widely-attended winter meetings in December, but this year’s winter meetings are expected to be canceled in the face of a lockout.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026
AI stocks have already come under heavy pressure this fall in the face of concerns about the sustainability of spending, the financing that helps underpin it and lackluster results from some major technology companies.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 8, 2026
"The need to ensure their safety in the face of crime and violence, house demolitions, discriminatory policies and budget allocations are issues on which there is room for dialogue," he said.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
They captured our imaginations—a sign of life and resilience in the face of a disease that made everything seem fragile and temporary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
They were dressed like gentiles, and most wore no hats, as though to spite the nasty weather and spit in the face of tradition.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
