vis-à-vis
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for vis-à-vis, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Preposition — In relation to, or with regard to.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. preposition
In relation to, or with regard to.
“What is our position vis-à-vis the new regulations?”
2. preposition formal
Face to face with; directly opposite.
“He found himself seated vis-à-vis the ambassador.”
3. noun formal
A person occupying the corresponding position to yours in another organisation.
“The minister met her vis-à-vis from Berlin.”
How to Use Vis-À-Vis
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal and slightly showy; in plain writing, 'about' or 'compared with' usually reads better.
Etymology
From French vis-à-vis, literally 'face to face', from vis 'face'.
Full origin of vis-à-vis →Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce vis-à-vis?
Say vee-zah-VEE. The final s of each 'vis' is silent, and the stress falls on the last syllable. The accent on the à does not change the sound in English.
What is the difference between vis-à-vis and versus?
Versus sets two things in direct opposition or competition, as in a match or a lawsuit. Vis-à-vis merely relates one thing to another for comparison or reference, without implying a contest. 'Sales versus last year' suggests a scoreline; 'our policy vis-à-vis Germany' does not.
Do you need the accent and the hyphens?
Both hyphens are standard in English. The grave accent on the à is usual but frequently dropped, and 'vis-a-vis' is widely accepted, especially in American publications.