Definition
Confrontation is a situation in which people or groups with opposing viewpoints or goals come face-to-face and engage in conflict or disagreement.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Noun
Synonyms
Conflict, altercation, face-off, showdown, clash, dispute, argument
Antonyms
Harmony, agreement, concord, cooperation
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | confrontation, confrontations |
| Verb | confronting, confronted, confront, confronts |
| Adjective | confrontational |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The tense confrontation between the two political leaders lasted for hours, with both refusing to back down.
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The customer had a heated confrontation with the store manager over a faulty product.
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The company’s decision to downsize resulted in a confrontation with the employees’ union.
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The two rival gangs had a violent confrontation in the streets, resulting in several injuries.
Usage
The word “confrontation” is often used to describe a situation in which individuals or groups come face-to-face and engage in conflict or disagreement. This conflict may take various forms, including verbal arguments, physical altercations, or ideological disputes. The word itself is derived from the Latin word “confrontare,” which means “to face or bring face-to-face.”
The prefix “con-” in “confrontation” means “together,” indicating that this word refers to a situation in which opposing sides are brought together. The suffix “-ation” is commonly used in English to form abstract nouns that indicate the action or process of the verb. Therefore, “confrontation” is a noun that describes the process of facing and engaging with opposing viewpoints.
There are several variations of the word “confrontation” that are formed using prefixes, suffixes, or roots. For example, the prefix “re-” is commonly used to indicate repetition or return to a previous state. Therefore, the word “reconfrontation” may be used to describe a situation in which opposing sides come face-to-face again after a previous conflict or disagreement. Another variation is the word “confrontational,” which is an adjective that describes a person or situation that is likely to cause or engage in confrontation.
In some contexts, the word “confrontation” may be used more broadly to describe any situation in which individuals or groups with opposing viewpoints or goals interact. For example, a business negotiation or a legal dispute may be described as a “confrontation” even if there is no physical or verbal conflict involved. However, it is important to use this term carefully and avoid exaggerating or trivializing conflict.
Overall, the word “confrontation” is a powerful noun that is used to describe situations in which opposing sides come face-to-face and engage in conflict or disagreement. It is important to use this word accurately and avoid using it in ways that exaggerate or glorify conflict.