as in competing
to engage in a contest
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of facing off
That’s to be expected for a team that few expected to make the playoffs, facing off against a perennial powerhouse.
—
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The Patriots have a more difficult path to the postseason this year, facing off against one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In Yolo County, Ryan Davis, a former public defender who currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner hearing family law cases in Sacramento County, is facing off against Diane Ortiz, a Yolo County Deputy District Attorney.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Castro, who was elected to the commission in April 2023 and is frequently at odds with Lago, will be facing off against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez, an of-counsel attorney at DiFalco and Fernandez LLLP, for her Group 4 seat.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond are facing off for the critical seat ahead of the midterm elections.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Other moments involve the pair facing off with wild animals.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Tournament of Champions returned for its seventh season on March 1, with 32 chefs facing off in the kitchen.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Mills is facing off against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, in a high-profile Democratic primary.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The Patriots have a more difficult path to the postseason this year, facing off against one of the NFL’s toughest schedules.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
In Yolo County, Ryan Davis, a former public defender who currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner hearing family law cases in Sacramento County, is facing off against Diane Ortiz, a Yolo County Deputy District Attorney.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Castro, who was elected to the commission in April 2023 and is frequently at odds with Lago, will be facing off against first-time candidate Nestor Menendez, an of-counsel attorney at DiFalco and Fernandez LLLP, for her Group 4 seat.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Democrat Analilia Mejia, Republican Joe Hathaway and Independent Alan Bond are facing off for the critical seat ahead of the midterm elections.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Other moments involve the pair facing off with wild animals.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Tournament of Champions returned for its seventh season on March 1, with 32 chefs facing off in the kitchen.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Mills is facing off against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer, in a high-profile Democratic primary.
—Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for facing off
competing
Verb
-
But after years of competing for a full gambling license, the operation has all the hallmarks of a Las Vegas-style casino.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The storytelling is wonky, given the film’s competing needs to be Miranda-blunt about the modern magazine business while pairing marvelously with a glass of rosé.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Facing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/facing%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
