rencounter

1 of 2

verb

ren·​coun·​ter ren-ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce rencounter (audio)
rencountered; rencountering; rencounters

transitive verb

archaic
: to meet casually

rencounter

2 of 2

noun

ren·​coun·​ter ren-ˈkau̇n-tər How to pronounce rencounter (audio)

variant of rencontre

1
: a hostile meeting or a contest between forces or individuals : combat
2
: a casual meeting

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French rencontrer to meet by chance or in hostility, from re- + encontrer to encounter

First Known Use

Verb

1574, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rencounter was in 1574

Rhymes for rencounter

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Browse Nearby Words

rencontre
rencounter
rend
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Cite this Entry

“Rencounter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rencounter. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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