face-off
1 of 2noun
ˈfās-ˌȯf 
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
: confrontation
face off
2 of 2verb
faced off; facing off; faces off
intransitive verb
: to be in or come into opposition or competition
politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate
Synonyms
Noun
- ball game
- battle
- combat
- competition
- conflict
- confrontation
- contention
- contest
- dogfight
- duel
- grapple
- match
- rivalry
- strife
- struggle
- sweepstakes
- sweep-stake
- tug-of-war
- war
- warfare
Verb
- battle
- compete
- contend
- fight
- race
- rival
- vie
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1948, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
face-off
noun
ˈfās-ˌȯf
1
: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which the puck or ball is dropped between two opposing players
2
: a clashing of forces or ideas
a face-off between enemies
face-off 1 of 2
noun
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rivalry
- battle
- duel
- confrontation
- competition
- struggle
- contest
- conflict
- warfare
- showdown
- match
- war
- contention
- clash
- dogfight
- tug-of-war
- strife
- grapple
- ball game
- combat
- sweepstakes
- sweep-stake
- debate
- dispute
- nail-biter
- collision
- quarrel
- disputation
- horse race
- friction
- controversy
- argument
- discord
- disagreement
- row
- wrangle
- dissension
- dissention
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- harmony
- peace
- concord
face off
2 of 2verb
as in to compete
to engage in a contest eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival Synonyms & Similar Words
- compete
- contend
- race
- fight
- battle
- rival
- vie
- try out
- go out
- challenge
- play
- engage
- maneuver
- work
- jockey
- jostle
- train