FACE-TO-FACE Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

face-to-face

adverb

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās

Definition of face-to-face

as in personally

in person and usually privately I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in one-on-one

in direct confrontation or competition came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of face-to-face What happens next are the most dramatic and twisted moments of his life, as these mysterious events bring Sam face-to-face with his younger self. — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 No one should have to drive downtown simply to sign a document and never actually talk to someone who can answer their questions, face-to-face, in detail. — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Roman Reigns entered the ring before the show was over and got face-to-face with Penta. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The tableau of Hansen going face-to-face with suspects seated in suburban kitchens became so familiar it was spoofed in a comedy sketch that opened the 2006 Emmy Awards. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The resort is a stone's throw from a major sea turtle habitat, and snorkeling tours that result in face-to-face encounters with a myriad of marine life are offered. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 After the ritual face-to-face pose, Hrgovic stepped in front of Itauma and began posing for the cameras, prompting Itauma to shove him off the stage. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Kansas City, Kansas, firefighters may not get a chance to tell county officials about their public safety concerns face-to-face, according to a recent court ruling. — Sofi Zeman august 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Before last month’s meetup, the monarch hadn’t seen Meghan or his two grandchildren face-to-face since 2022—four years ago. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-to-face

Adverb

She gets personally involved as a board member, mentor and even front-line volunteer.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Coulter has made that pledge personally in the past, but is expected to leave his position before the end of the year, which Bean noted in her comments.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of personally

Adverb

Now, in a new head-to-head clinical study of the three diets, researchers found that people with obesity who lost weight on the keto diet saw better metabolic outcomes than their peers who lost a similar amount of weight on another diet.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026
And, if teams are tied, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head record.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of head-to-head

Adverb

Whichever the case, the stuff needs to be dealt with head-on, and there’s no better time to do so than in the present.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026
Volvo shared some new crash footage with Popular Science, showing how their design choices protect drivers even during head-on moose collisions.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 18 June 2026

Definition of head-on

Browse Nearby Words

facetiousness

face-to-face

facets

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Face-to-face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-to-face. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of face-to-face

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes