confront

[ kuhn-fruhnt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to face in hostility or defiance; oppose:

   The feuding factions confronted one another.

2. to present for acknowledgment, contradiction, etc.; set face to face:

   They confronted him with evidence of his crime.

3. to face and deal with boldly or directly:

   The city refuses to confront the real reason for the housing shortage.

4. to stand or come in front of; stand or meet facing:

   The two long-separated brothers confronted each other speechlessly.

5. to be in one's way:

   the numerous obstacles that still confronted him.

6. to bring together for examination or comparison.

confront

/ kənˈfrʌnt /

verb

1. usually foll by with to present or face (with something), esp in order to accuse or criticize
2. to face boldly; oppose in hostility
3. to be face to face with; be in front of
4. to bring together for comparison

Derived Forms

• conˈfronter, noun

Other Words From

• con·front·er noun
• re·con·front verb (used with object)
• un·con·front·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confront¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin confrontārī, equivalent to Latin con-, variant of intensive prefix com- + -frontārī, derivative of Latin frōns (stem front- ) “forehead”; con-, front

Word History and Origins

Origin of confront¹

C16: from Medieval Latin confrontārī to stand face to face with, from frons forehead

Example Sentences

Now is the time to launch a National Energy Innovation Mission to confront the climate crisis and lead the transition to clean energy.

From MIT Technology Review

For years, Americans have avoided confronting these changes in their own backyards.

From ProPublica

One major reason an evolutionary perspective on our own behavior can be so confronting is that it doesn’t take our word for why we do things.

From Nautilus

She was used to controlling a room as a public safety officer, stopping fights and confronting abusers.

From ProPublica

The changing face of brick-and-mortar retail requires that our city leaders, planners and urban designers confront this new equation.

From Voice of San Diego

After the six-week training, the forces will be deployed to confront the Islamic State, officials said.

From The Daily Beast

Counter-protestors marched to confront the pro-police contingent, separated by barricades and uniformed officers.

From The Daily Beast

This was the first of the series of her fears that Sabrina had to confront.

From The Daily Beast

Conservatives have made clear they want Republican leaders to use the December deadline to confront the president on immigration.

From The Daily Beast

No matter what adversity or fear we may confront, we are always inherently free to choose how to be.

From The Daily Beast

A fellow rudely clad—a hybrid between man-at-arms and lackey—lounged on a musket to confront them in the gateway.

From Project Gutenberg

Merrill dropped the meat he was dragging over the floor, and turned to confront Alessandro's eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

She was summoned to present herself before the Convention, to confront her accuser, and defend herself from the scaffold.

From Project Gutenberg

Many difficulties confront the translator in the preparation of material of this nature, involving names, dates and titles.

From Project Gutenberg

With a gasp of dismay young Richard twisted in his chair to confront this fresh and unsuspected antagonist.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accost
• defy
• encounter
• meet
• oppose
• repel
• resist