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
faced off
verb
as in competed
to engage in a contest eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- competed
- contended
- raced
- fought
- vied
- battled
- went out
- rivaled
- tried out
- played
- rivalled
- engaged
- challenged
- jockeyed
- jostled
- maneuvered
- worked
- trained
- wrought