Confronted
/kənˈfrʌntɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo face someone or something, often in a hostile or challenging way.
/kənˈfrʌnt/
To face someone or something in defiance or challenge.
The police were confronted by a hostile crowd.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're in a tough situation. Confronting means facing it head-on, like when you have to talk to someone about a problem even though it's difficult. It's about dealing with something, not running away.
👶 For kids: When you confront someone or something, it's like when you look straight at it and face it, like a problem or a scary monster.
More Examples
She had to confront her fears and start the job.
We confronted the issue of climate change during the conference.
How It's Used
"The protesters confronted the politician with their demands."
"The therapist encouraged the patient to confront their fears."
To present someone with something, such as evidence or a problem.
/kənˈfrʌnt/
To present someone with information.
The investigators confronted the suspect with the evidence.
💡 Simply: When you confront someone with something, it's like showing them facts or bringing up something they need to know, even if it's not easy. Think of showing someone the bad news they have to face.
👶 For kids: When you confront someone, you tell them something important, like when you show your mom the mess you made.
More Examples
The teacher confronted the students with their plagiarism.
The auditors confronted the company with the financial discrepancies.
How It's Used
"The lawyer confronted the witness with new evidence."
"The manager confronted the employee with their poor performance."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
face the music
To accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
"After failing the test, he had to face the music and tell his parents."
From Middle French confronter, from Late Latin confrontare ('to bring together, compare'), from Latin con- ('with, together') + frons, frontis ('forehead, face').
Used since the 14th century, initially to mean 'to compare or bring together,' the meaning evolved to include facing someone or something in opposition.
Memory tip
Think of 'front' – to stand in front of something (or someone) is to confront it.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: con- (with) + frons (forehead/face)