showdown
Americannoun
noun
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informal an action that brings matters to a head or acts as a conclusion or point of decision
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poker the exposing of the cards in the players' hands on the table at the end of the game
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of showdown
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.
See Examples For:
But the showdown could backfire and spark a bigger conflict if they don’t find an off ramp, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
The showdown became radical in June when three bears were found dead in two days Western Macedonia, according to the leading wildlife groups Arcturos and Kallisto.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
It brings together nearly $2 billion worth of talent and two of the most tortured, neurotic, self-aggrandizing fan bases on the planet for one high-stakes showdown inside the tournament’s most hostile stadium.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026
However, the 2016 European champions will book a last-16 showdown with Spain or Austria if they defeat Croatia.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
As the world began to slide towards a final showdown of the European empires, this kind of music increasingly reminded people of the way of life they were about to lose.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
Javadli - a former international gymnast - has also been facing potential arrest for e-crimes - online offences - in the UAE after she livestreamed one of the showdowns last year.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers lost on Sunday to miss out on clinching NFL playoff berths, setting up a pair of winner-take-all showdowns next week for post-season spots.
From Barron's ● Dec. 28, 2025
With the movie industry in flux, stars continue to cluster around the limited high-profile projects that remain, which can mean star vs. star showdowns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
He was also asked what he had learned in his career about title showdowns.
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2025
No matter how strong I holds, it looks like on the showdowns they outlucks me every time.
From Wolfville by Lewis, Alfred Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
