confront

con-front · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To face someone or something directly, especially in a challenging way.

  2. 2.

    To appear before someone threateningly or accusingly.

  3. 3.

    To present itself as a problem or difficulty.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    confront head-on — to deal with something directly without avoiding it
  • •
    be confronted with — to be faced with a problem or difficulty

Related words

Antonyms: avoid, evade, flee, retreat
See also: challenge, encounter, face, oppose
Synonyms: challenge, encounter, face, oppose

Etymology

From Medieval Latin confrontare ("to border on, adjoin"), from Latin con- ("together") + frons, frontis ("forehead, front"). The sense evolved from "to stand face to face" to "to challenge directly."