showdown

American  

[shoh-doun] / ˈʃoʊˌdaʊn /

noun

1. the laying down of one's cards, face upward, in a card game, especially poker.

2. a conclusive settlement of an issue, difference, etc., in which all resources, power, or the like, are used; decisive confrontation.

   An international showdown was inevitable.

   Synonyms:

   clash, encounter, climax, crisis

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showdown British  

/ ˈʃəʊˌdaʊn /

noun

1. informal an action that brings matters to a head or acts as a conclusion or point of decision

2. poker the exposing of the cards in the players' hands on the table at the end of the game

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Etymology

Origin of showdown

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; show + down ¹

Example Sentences

The spat led to a legal showdown with the Pentagon -- although the tensions have since thawed somewhat.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

In a showdown between Bass and Pratt, the incumbent mayor was ahead, 47% to 29%, among the city’s registered voters, with 12% undecided and 12% choosing neither or saying they would not vote.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

The high-profile, high-stakes showdown between two of the most powerful companies and leaders in technology was billed as a battle that could change the trajectory of AI.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

So went the landmark legal showdown between some of the most powerful players in AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

So maybe it would be good to stall, to delay the inevitable showdown, by going into a restaurant.

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo

Related Words

• clash
• crisis