Word
confrontation
Meanings
a direct, tense meeting or situation where people argue or challenge each other
a serious conflict between groups or countries in which each side opposes the other
Definition
A confrontation is a tense meeting or situation in which people openly disagree or argue.
A confrontation is an unpleasant or tense encounter where two sides face each other because of a conflict. It can involve angry words, strong disagreement, or the threat of action. In everyday English, it often suggests directness and pressure rather than calm discussion.
Examples
- The manager tried to prevent a confrontation by addressing the issue privately before the meeting.
- I avoided a confrontation with my neighbor by asking calmly about the noise instead of accusing him.
- Their confrontation in the corridor drew attention because neither of them was willing to back down.
- She handled the confrontation with impressive restraint, sticking to facts even when the tone became hostile.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "confrontation" with "confrontation with a problem"; use "confront a problem" (verb) instead of "have a confrontation with a problem."
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