1
: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them
2
faced off; facing off; faces off
: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate
Examples of face-off in a Sentence
Noun
the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges
Verb
eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Recent Examples on the Web
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs face-off on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans led to non-conventional style moments.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
Sampson faced off against Lute and Arizona 15 times over seven seasons.
—Doug Haller, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
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Noun
But he’s actually got an entertainingly loopy idea: to goad President Ross, his former captor, into a military face-off with Japan over the ownership of a cache of adamantium.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs face-off on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans led to non-conventional style moments.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
Looking ahead, Rollins and CM Punk are expected to face off against Roman Reigns in a triple-threat match at WrestleMania 41.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
Sampson faced off against Lute and Arizona 15 times over seven seasons.
—Doug Haller, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-off. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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