as in toe-to-toe
in direct confrontation or competition
it's fitting that the two best teams during the regular season will go head-to-head for the championship
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of head-to-head
India, China go head-to-head for Russian crude All series are visible.
—
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
When two teams are tied on points in La Liga, league position is decided by their head-to-head record rather than goal difference.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Who won the head-to-head games between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia this season?
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Though Edmonton sat back and trapped more at times, including late in the year, their pace and personnel allowed for plenty of chances in three head-to-head meetings.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head-to-head
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
When two teams are tied on points in La Liga, league position is decided by their head-to-head record rather than goal difference.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Who won the head-to-head games between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia this season?
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Though Edmonton sat back and trapped more at times, including late in the year, their pace and personnel allowed for plenty of chances in three head-to-head meetings.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head-to-head
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head-to-head
Adverb
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The reunion will serve as the first time Miller will come face-to-face with West and Batula on camera following confirmation of their relationship.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
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Arguments on the phone, arguments face-to-face, faucets running, dishes getting piled on a rack to dry, TV reruns.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Perkins, who is CEO of Canva, addressed head-on the concerns among many who work in creative industries about the potential for AI to supplant human labor.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
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Figures of Crisis makes productive use of this commonplace idea by tackling it head-on and turning it inside out.—
Ara H. Merjian,
ARTnews.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Head-to-head.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head-to-head. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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