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
Synonyms
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
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
But as the days close in on Sunday’s ceremony, the face-off is starting to feel more and more contentious — especially in the album of the year category.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2025
As the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the New York Knicks on Saturday, Feb. 1, the actress and comedian, 43, took the crowd at Madison Square Garden by surprise by recreating the most iconic scene from her film Trainwreck — 10 years after the film came out.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for face-off 
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Noun
The hearing today before Chang was the first major courtroom face-off over the August 27 breach of contract suit filed by Crichton’s widow Sherri Crichton on behalf of John Michael Crichton Trust’s Roadrunner JMTC on claims that The Pitt is an unauthorized ER derivative.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025
But as the days close in on Sunday’s ceremony, the face-off is starting to feel more and more contentious — especially in the album of the year category.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 6:30 p.m ET.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2025
As the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the New York Knicks on Saturday, Feb. 1, the actress and comedian, 43, took the crowd at Madison Square Garden by surprise by recreating the most iconic scene from her film Trainwreck — 10 years after the film came out.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for face-off
Dictionary Entries Near face-off
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-off. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
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