Confront

/kənˈfrʌnt/

Meaning & Definition

verb
to face someone or something in a challenging or hostile way.
She decided to confront her fears instead of avoiding them.
to bring something to someone's attention, especially in a challenging manner.
He confronted his colleague about the mistakes in the report.
to oppose or challenge someone boldly.
The activists confronted the politician at the town hall meeting.
to meet or come up against someone or something in a direct manner.
The soldiers were confronted by enemy forces during their mission.

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin 'confrontrare', meaning 'to face with'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

confront the issue
to deal with a problem directly
confrontational attitude
an aggressive or combative approach towards others
confront one's demons
to face one's personal issues or struggles

Related Words

confrontation
a hostile or argumentative meeting or situation
confrontational
tending to deal with situations in an aggressive way
face-off
a confrontation or contest between two opponents

Slang Meanings

To call someone out.
If you see him cheating, you should confront him.
To step up.
She decided to step up and confront her critics directly.