1
as in meets
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face quite unexpectedly encountered our next-door neighbor while vacationing in Europe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in finds
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance we encountered a host of unforeseen problems during the restoration of our 200-year-old house
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in faces
to enter into contest or conflict with the troops encountered bands of guerrilla fighters as they made their way across the desert
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encounters
Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 Two shots of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing illness, if given at least two weeks before the person encounters the virus. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 This flow always encounters some resistance; how much depends on oxygen availability, cellular demand, and the integrity of the system itself, including the number of mitochondria in the cell and the condition of their membranes. —Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 If Axiom Space’s work encounters further delays, the report warns, both types of suits are likely to be available no earlier than 2031. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026 The production is structured as a theatrical experiment in which a different actor appears at each performance, and encounters the script for the first time on stage. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026 The brothers originally developed SafeWrap for hospitals and psychiatric patients, later modifying it for law enforcement's use of force encounters nationwide. —Janay Reece, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Defining due regard So, what happens if one mission encounters another on the Moon? —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026 While navigating the labyrinth with the help of Hoggle (Shari Weiser, voiced by Brian Henson), Sarah encounters one fantastical character after another, including The Worm (voiced by Timothy Bateson) and The Junk Lady (voiced by Denise Bryer). —David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 That survey found encounters with federal agents caused many people not to go to work. —Ubah Ali, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 In two separate encounters on Monday, the Israeli air force struck and killed Hezbollah militants that the military said approached its troops in a threatening way. —Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2026 Technicolor marine encounters are routine here. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026 During a police interview, Rodriguez allegedly admitted to multiple encounters with the teen but disputed one of the incidents, the outlets reported. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 Behind the scenes, the NCWRC has been tracking just how frequent these encounters have become. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 Development Is Pushing People and Gators Together NCWRC Wildlife Biologist Alicia Wassmer pointed to North Carolina’s population growth and expanding development as key factors driving more frequent human-alligator encounters. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 The $100 admission includes food, beverages, live music, encounters with animals such as sloths and capybaras, and a silent auction. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
What makes the whale encounters extra special is that the belugas are curious creatures and highly gregarious. —Sarah Sekula, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 Two shots of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing illness, if given at least two weeks before the person encounters the virus. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 This flow always encounters some resistance; how much depends on oxygen availability, cellular demand, and the integrity of the system itself, including the number of mitochondria in the cell and the condition of their membranes. —Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 If Axiom Space’s work encounters further delays, the report warns, both types of suits are likely to be available no earlier than 2031. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 20 Apr. 2026 The production is structured as a theatrical experiment in which a different actor appears at each performance, and encounters the script for the first time on stage. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026 The brothers originally developed SafeWrap for hospitals and psychiatric patients, later modifying it for law enforcement's use of force encounters nationwide. —Janay Reece, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Defining due regard So, what happens if one mission encounters another on the Moon? —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026 While navigating the labyrinth with the help of Hoggle (Shari Weiser, voiced by Brian Henson), Sarah encounters one fantastical character after another, including The Worm (voiced by Timothy Bateson) and The Junk Lady (voiced by Denise Bryer). —David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Snake encounters in California Last month, the California Poison Control System reported 77 calls regarding rattlesnake bites in the first three months of 2026. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 That survey found encounters with federal agents caused many people not to go to work. —Ubah Ali, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 In two separate encounters on Monday, the Israeli air force struck and killed Hezbollah militants that the military said approached its troops in a threatening way. —Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2026 Technicolor marine encounters are routine here. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026 During a police interview, Rodriguez allegedly admitted to multiple encounters with the teen but disputed one of the incidents, the outlets reported. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 Behind the scenes, the NCWRC has been tracking just how frequent these encounters have become. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 Development Is Pushing People and Gators Together NCWRC Wildlife Biologist Alicia Wassmer pointed to North Carolina’s population growth and expanding development as key factors driving more frequent human-alligator encounters. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 The $100 admission includes food, beverages, live music, encounters with animals such as sloths and capybaras, and a silent auction. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encounters
Verb
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As the Moon meets Jupiter in your sign, your presence carries weight and people respond to your tone.— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
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Swimwear is truly where function meets style, which is why designers love to play with new silhouettes and aesthetics.— Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Scroll for more fashion finds for as little as $6.— Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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Rendered with a deep blue backdrop and whorls of soft spring colors, La femme finds Lopez staring peaceably into the middle distance, holding a bouquet of flowers.— News Desk, Artforum, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
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In 2026, Lawler faces a tough re-election as Democrats set their sights on his suburban district.— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The early skirmishes certainly appeared that way.— Josh Gross, Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
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The skirmishes are a preview for more campaigns later this year, when at least a half-dozen states will hold elections for utility regulators.— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Jackson Five find success; then, in the late seventies, the adult Michael (played, with extraordinary flair, by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew) seeks a solo career—and confronts Joe’s domineering maneuvers.— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
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Moments after arriving, Donaldson confronts the driver, who was still inside the car; the officer ends up being pulled into DeSouza’s getaway car by the force of acceleration, while attempting to reach in and pull him out.— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There are glimpses of crossover fights between Gambit (Channing Tatum) and Shang-Chi (Simu Liu); Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh); and Doom and Thor (Hemsworth).— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
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Another admonishes participants not to urinate in the street, start fights, block streets, climb on cars or deface property — all things that have been problems some years.— Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This is terrific value for the Jets — Taylor could be an instant-impact three-down weapon who catches a bunch of passes for a long time.— Sam Warren, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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Lemon is highly productive (79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season) and an ace at yards after catch but would be a bit of a surprising pick at 11 because 1).— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Its Triple Lift System independently raises the mop and brushes to guarantee bone-dry rug transitions.— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
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Use neutral tones and nail art brushes to recreate the look at home, or take these images straight to your nail tech.— Georgia Day, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encounters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/encounters. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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