noun
Common
confrontation
kon-fruhn-TAY-shuhn
Confrontation (noun) means a tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people. Example: “The meeting turned into a heated confrontation between the two managers.”
noun
1
A tense, face-to-face clash or argument between people.
"The meeting turned into a heated confrontation between the two managers."
"I wanted to avoid a confrontation with my neighbour, so I wrote a polite note."
"After a tense confrontation in the car park, both drivers drove off angrily."
2
A hostile standoff between opposing armed forces.
"Tensions along the border risked escalating into an armed confrontation."
"The two navies avoided direct confrontation by keeping their ships miles apart."
"Leaders worked hard to prevent a confrontation between the rival armies."
How to use confrontation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA direct, often angry clash between people or groups.
Common pairings
avoid confrontation
a tense confrontation
armed confrontation
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Word forms
- Plural
- confrontations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The meeting turned into a heated _____ between the two managers.
Etymology
Came from Middle French; in terms of structure it is confront plus -ation.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for confrontation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
