to face in hostility or defiance; oppose: The feuding factions confronted one another.
to present for acknowledgment, contradiction, etc.; set face to face: They confronted him with evidence of his crime.
to face and deal with boldly or directly: The city refuses to confront the real reason for the housing shortage.
to stand or come in front of; stand or meet facing: The two long-separated brothers confronted each other speechlessly.
to be in one's way: the numerous obstacles that still confronted him.
to bring together for examination or comparison.
Origin of confront
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin confrontārī, equivalent to Latin con-, variant of intensive prefix com- + -frontārī, derivative of Latin frōns (stem front- ) “forehead”; see origin at con-, front
OTHER WORDS FROM confront
con·front·er,nounre·con·front,verb (used with object)un·con·front·ed,adjective
Now is the time to launch a National Energy Innovation Mission to confront the climate crisis and lead the transition to clean energy.
To confront the climate crisis, the US should launch a National Energy Innovation Mission|Amy Nordrum|September 15, 2020|MIT Technology Review
For years, Americans have avoided confronting these changes in their own backyards.
Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration|by Abrahm Lustgarten, photography by Meridith Kohut|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
One major reason an evolutionary perspective on our own behavior can be so confronting is that it doesn’t take our word for why we do things.
The Dark Side of Smart - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|September 15, 2020|Nautilus
She was used to controlling a room as a public safety officer, stopping fights and confronting abusers.
The Woman Propositioned by Alaska’s Former Lieutenant Governor Tells Her Story for the First Time|by Kyle Hopkins and Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News|September 10, 2020|ProPublica
The changing face of brick-and-mortar retail requires that our city leaders, planners and urban designers confront this new equation.
Myths and Shame Shouldn’t Guide Cannabis Regulations|John Bertsch|September 8, 2020|Voice of San Diego
After the six-week training, the forces will be deployed to confront the Islamic State, officials said.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’|Nancy A. Youssef|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Counter-protestors marched to confront the pro-police contingent, separated by barricades and uniformed officers.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This was the first of the series of her fears that Sabrina had to confront.
How A Muslim Dad Reacted To His Daughter Coming Out|Moral Courage|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservatives have made clear they want Republican leaders to use the December deadline to confront the president on immigration.
The Coming GOP Freakout Over Immigration|Patricia Murphy|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No matter what adversity or fear we may confront, we are always inherently free to choose how to be.
How One Lawsuit Shows What’s Wrong With America|James Poulos|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In captivity, having no web, it actually flees before its prey, and has not the resolution to confront a fly.
The Insect|Jules Michelet
But she is a shrewd child and, living a lonely life, has had ample time to consider the problems that confront her.
Mary Louise in the Country|L. Frank Baum (AKA Edith Van Dyne)
She turned to confront the startled eyes of the bride elect.
Miss Billy's Decision|Eleanor H. Porter
They confront us in different forms in connection with immigration, especially of Asiatics.
Woman in Modern Society|Earl Barnes
I will give him law enough to confute, and he shall furnish the insolence to confront this Attorney-General.
Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume II.|Charles James Lever
British Dictionary definitions for confront
confront
/ (kənˈfrʌnt) /
verb(tr)
(usually foll by with)to present or face (with something), esp in order to accuse or criticize
to face boldly; oppose in hostility
to be face to face with; be in front of
to bring together for comparison
Derived forms of confront
confronter, noun
Word Origin for confront
C16: from Medieval Latin confrontārī to stand face to face with, from frons forehead
defy, resist, accost, repel, oppose, meet, encounter, withstand, brave, affront, flout, scorn, front, dare, beard, tell off, come up against, face down, face up to, face with