Words / B2

konfr-un-TAYSHUN/ˌkɒnfrʌnˈteɪʃn/

A confrontation is an angry face-to-face clash: avoid confrontation, a confrontation between managers. Argument is everyday and can stay verbal; fight is more physical. Confront is the verb (already in the dictionary). Confrontational is the adjective. In speech, a row / they faced each other is enough. Do not call a calm disagreement a confrontation, and do not write confrontation with a problem unless you mean facing it directly (confrontation with the truth).

Meaning

A situation in which people face each other angrily or in conflict.

Examples

• “The meeting ended in a confrontation between the two managers.”
• “Staff asked for mediation so the next meeting would not become a confrontation.”
• “A confrontation at the gate delayed the coaches until stewards arrived.”

Good to know

An angry face-to-face clash. Verb: confront. Everyday: a row. Adjective: confrontational. Not a calm disagreement.

Near in meaning

clash

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