CONFRONTATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does confrontation mean? 

• CONFRONTATION (noun)
  The noun CONFRONTATION has 5 senses:

1. a bold challenge

2. discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions

3. a hostile disagreement face-to-face

4. the act of hostile groups opposing each other

5. a focussed comparison; bringing together for a careful comparison

  Familiarity information: CONFRONTATION used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONFRONTATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A bold challenge

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("confrontation" is a kind of...):

challenge (a call to engage in a contest or fight)

Derivation:

confront (oppose, as in hostility or a competition)

confrontational (of or relating to confrontation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("confrontation" is a kind of...):

discord; dissension (disagreement among those expected to cooperate)

Derivation:

confrontational (of or relating to confrontation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A hostile disagreement face-to-face

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

confrontation; encounter; face-off; showdown

Hypernyms ("confrontation" is a kind of...):

disagreement (the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing)

Derivation:

confront (be face to face with)

confrontational (of or relating to confrontation)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The act of hostile groups opposing each other

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

confrontation; opposition

Context example:

the invaders encountered stiff opposition

Hypernyms ("confrontation" is a kind of...):

resistance (group action in opposition to those in power)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "confrontation"):

strikebreaking (confrontational activities intended to break up a strike by workers)

Derivation:

confront (oppose, as in hostility or a competition)

confront (be face to face with)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A focussed comparison; bringing together for a careful comparison

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("confrontation" is a kind of...):

comparing; comparison (the act of examining resemblances)

Derivation:

confront (present somebody with something, usually to accuse or criticize)