confrontations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confrontations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe instances of conflict or disagreement between individuals or groups. Example: "The meeting was filled with confrontations between the two departments over budget allocations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More importantly, the police who confronted him, like police throughout the confrontations in Missouri, seem to be entirely committed to the logic of deterrence, while ignoring the costs of escalation.

The Economist

Police were out in force to try to block the demonstrations, and there were sporadic confrontations near Kinshasa University.

The Guardian

Confrontations like Sheehan's are "a pretty typical situation that happens across the country these days", said Ron Honberg, director of policy and legal affairs at the National Alliance for Mental Illness (Nami), which filed a brief supporting her suit.

The Guardian

Al-Shabaab avoids most direct confrontations with conventional armies.

The Guardian

To put it another way, in America and Great Britain, the neoliberal turn depended on huge industrial confrontations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Azerbaijan's defence ministry said 14 of its soldiers had been killed in multiple confrontations, which began on 30 July.

The Guardian

The Right Sector is a loose grouping of ultra-radical elements that led confrontations with riot police in Kiev, throwing molotov cocktails and wielding baseball bats.

The Guardian

Referring to wars and violent confrontations from Syria to Nigeria and the Philippines, Blair, writing in the Observer, argues that "there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion.

The Guardian

His art was full of tricks and illusions, real and imagined confrontations.

The Guardian - Arts

Weeks of bitter confrontations with Democrats and moderate Republicans will have yielded no discernible gains for conservatives – except, perhaps, for the display of power that have proven they can still exert over the embattled speaker of the House.

The Guardian

The Met units sent to the picket lines are described as having been "valued in violent confrontations" but more likely to increase tensions the rest of the time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "confrontations", consider the level of formality and intensity you want to convey. It is suitable for describing serious disagreements or clashes.

Common error

Avoid using "confrontations" when describing minor disagreements or discussions. Opt for words like "discussions" or "exchanges" in less intense situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "confrontations" functions primarily as a noun, referring to instances of conflict or opposition. As shown by Ludwig, it accurately describes heated clashes and battles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "confrontations" is a commonly used noun that describes instances of conflict, disagreement, or opposition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, where it is used to report on events involving active disputes or clashes. While "confrontations" is generally neutral in tone, its specific register can shift based on the context. Alternatives such as "clashes", "disputes", and "standoffs" offer nuanced ways to describe varying degrees of conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clashes

Refers to brief periods of fighting between opposing sides.

conflicts

Represents prolonged periods of disagreement or fighting.

skirmishes

Indicates minor fights or battles, usually brief and unplanned.

altercations

Denotes heated arguments or disputes, often public.

standoffs

Implies a deadlock or stalemate, where neither side yields.

hostilities

Indicates acts of warfare or aggression.

disputes

Refers to disagreements or arguments, typically formal.

showdowns

Suggests a decisive encounter or confrontation.

quarrels

Indicates petty arguments or disagreements.

face-offs

Implies a direct confrontation or competition.

FAQs

How to use "confrontations" in a sentence?

"Confrontations" typically refers to situations of conflict or disagreement. For example, "The protests led to several "confrontations" between the police and demonstrators."

What can I say instead of "confrontations"?

You can use alternatives like "clashes", "disputes", or "standoffs" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "confrontations" or "discussions" when describing disagreements?

"Confrontations" implies a more intense level of disagreement than "discussions". Use "confrontations" when there is hostility or conflict and "discussions" for more civil exchanges.

What's the difference between "confrontations" and "conflicts"?

"Confrontations" often refers to specific instances of direct encounters, while "conflicts" encompasses broader, ongoing struggles or disagreements.