confrontation
7 synonyms for confrontation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use confrontation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
avoid confrontation
a tense confrontation
armed confrontation
Etymology
From Middle French. Morphologically confront + -ation.
Full origin of confrontation →Frequently asked questions
What does “confrontation” mean?
The word “confrontation” means a tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people. In plain terms, a direct, often angry clash between people or groups.
How do you pronounce “confrontation”?
“Confrontation” is pronounced kon-fruhn-TAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑn.fɹənˈteɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “confrontation” in a sentence?
Here is “confrontation” used in a sentence: “The meeting turned into a heated confrontation between the two managers.”
What part of speech is “confrontation”?
“Confrontation” is a noun.
Is “confrontation” a common word?
“Confrontation” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “confrontation” have?
“Confrontation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people.
What is the difference between confrontation and argument?
An argument is a verbal disagreement, while a confrontation is a tense, face-to-face clash that can include but is not limited to arguing, and often implies a more charged or hostile standoff. Confrontation can also describe a hostile standoff between opposing armed forces, a sense argument does not carry.
Is confrontation always negative or violent?
Confrontation usually implies tension or hostility, whether between individuals in a heated clash or between opposing armed forces in a standoff, so it generally carries a negative connotation. It does not necessarily mean physical violence, but it does suggest conflict or opposition.
What is the difference between confrontation and negotiation?
Confrontation is a tense, hostile clash or standoff, while negotiation is a cooperative discussion aimed at reaching an agreement. The two are often contrasted, since resolving a confrontation frequently requires moving to negotiation instead.
