confront

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'confront' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two or more people are facing each other and talking or arguing. For example: "The two politicians had a tense confrontation over the proposed budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was angry because I knew that I was too young to confront the nihilistic truth that Christmas was suddenly devoid of meaning or purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

In order to confront the truths in our society, we must have a free press.

The Guardian

I don't think any president will find it politic to confront the intelligence community by pardoning him or allowing him to come back".

The Guardian

To grow up is to confront the disappointments of language, in a way, and to suffer the divorce between what we experience and what we imagine to be real.

The Guardian - Books

I think that a child does not feel the sublime because a child need not, perhaps cannot, confront the limitations of his or her language – language, for a child, is already miraculous, supple, generous in its association, tragic, hilarious, disproportionate and huge.

The Guardian - Books

As we confront growing inequality today, it's a speech I often find myself rereading.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking to the BBC, he argued that Nigeria could not confront the threat from Boko Haram alone.

The Guardian

We were four guys who had managed a trip or two to confront Johnny Foreigner from the club stages of Scandinavia and … and … that was about it.

The Guardian - Music

After the melancholy party had stayed there for some time, Monsieur Tournevau remarked: 'This isn't very cheerful, is it?' Unable to lose themselves in carnality and frolics, the men must confront reality, which Maupassant presents as a yawning void filled with monotonous echoes.

The Guardian - Books

Name and address withheld What the expert thinks Linda Blair I'm not sure I understand what you would confront your boyfriend about, or what ultimatum you would give him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

David Cameron will today signal a sea-change in the government fight against home-grown terrorism, saying the state must confront, and not consort with, the non-violent Muslim groups that are ambiguous about British values such as equality between sexes, democracy and integration.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confront" when you want to emphasize a direct and potentially challenging encounter or discussion. It's appropriate when someone is actively addressing a difficult issue or person.

Common error

Avoid using "confront" when you simply mean to inform someone. "Confront" implies a degree of opposition or challenge, while "inform" is neutral. For example, instead of saying "I need to confront you about the meeting", say "I need to inform you about the meeting" if there's no conflict.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "confront" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of facing someone or something directly, often with the intention of challenging or opposing them. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts, from confronting a person about money to confronting societal issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "confront" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe directly facing or challenging someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, "confront" is often used in formal discussions and writing where directness is valued. When using "confront", ensure it reflects a proactive and potentially challenging encounter, rather than a simple exchange of information. Consider alternatives like "face up to" or "address" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face up to

Implies directly addressing something challenging or daunting.

deal with

Indicates handling or managing a situation or problem.

tackle

Suggests taking on a task or problem with effort and determination.

address

Refers to formally discussing or handling an issue.

stand up to

Suggests resisting someone or something powerful or imposing.

challenge

Implies questioning or disputing something, often in a competitive way.

oppose

Means to actively resist or disagree with something.

grapple with

Implies struggling to understand or overcome a difficult issue.

meet

Indicates encountering something, often unexpectedly.

encounter

Similar to 'meet', but can also imply facing difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "confront" in a sentence?

You can use "confront" to describe a direct encounter with someone or something, especially when it involves opposition or a challenge. For example, "She decided to confront her fears and try public speaking."

What can I say instead of "confront"?

You can use alternatives like "face up to", "deal with", or "address" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "confront" and "address"?

"Confront" implies a direct and potentially challenging encounter, while "address" is a more neutral term for dealing with an issue.

Is it better to "confront" or "avoid" a problem?

While it depends on the situation, directly "confronting" a problem is often more effective in the long run than avoiding it. However, consider the potential consequences and plan your approach carefully.