rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryconfrontationDirect encounter
noun

confrontation

kahn-fruhn-TAY-shuhn/ˌkɑːnfrənˈteɪʃn/

A direct encounter with a person, problem, or opposing force.

The two adults face each other in a tense confrontation.

Two adults face each other tensely across a table with rigid posture and conflicting pointing gestures; no violence.
Etymology
conLatintogether, with
+frontLatinforehead, front
+ationLatinaction or process

The image is of bringing people face to face. A confrontation originally brought two parties together for examination and discovery of truth; the selected sense emphasizes the challenge or hostility of such an encounter.

In context

CBS Evening News0:12
these are images from the confrontation as the migrants were pushed back
Mexican police crack down at border after confrontation

More examples

  • They avoided a confrontation.
  • Several confrontations followed.
  • She prepared for a confrontation with the problem.

Forms

confrontation · confrontations

confront verb — face a person or problem directly

Similar words

encounter
A meeting without necessarily challenge or opposition.
clash
A more clearly hostile conflict.