Confrontation
/ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃən/
Definitions
A direct and often hostile or argumentative meeting or situation between opposing parties.
/ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃən/
A situation in which people, groups, or countries are in conflict or disagreement.
The debate quickly escalated into a confrontation.
💡 Simply: It's like when two people or groups are having a big argument and face each other. Think of a heated debate at a meeting or a face-off between two teams.
👶 For kids: When two people or groups are arguing and face each other.
More Examples
The unexpected confrontation at the meeting caught everyone by surprise.
He avoided a direct confrontation by leaving the room.
How It's Used
"The summit ended without resolving the ongoing confrontation between the two nations."
"The therapist encouraged the patient to face her fears through a series of planned confrontations."
"A heated confrontation erupted between protestors and police at the rally."
Idioms & expressions
face a confrontation
To deal with or endure a difficult or hostile situation.
"The CEO had to face a confrontation with angry shareholders about the company's poor performance."
avoid a confrontation
To take action to prevent a hostile or difficult situation from happening.
"She chose to avoid a confrontation by leaving the party early."
From Medieval Latin *confrontatio*, from the verb *confrontare* ('to face', 'to compare'), derived from *con-* ('together') and *frons* ('forehead, face'). The word entered English in the 16th century.
The word 'confrontation' first appeared in the 16th century, used initially in religious and philosophical contexts before expanding into broader social and political usage.
Memory tip
Imagine two people facing each other, about to argue – that's a confrontation!
Word Origin
"to face, to compare; from con- (together) + frons (forehead, face)"