confrontation

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.

“Confrontation” is pronounced kon-fruhn-TAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑn.fɹənˈteɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “confrontation” used in a sentence: “The meeting turned into a heated confrontation between the two managers.”

“Confrontation” is a noun.

“Confrontation” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Confrontation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people.

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.

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.

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.