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confront

v.
US //kənˈfɹənt// UK //kənfɹˈʌnt// con·front
  1. 1 to face a person directly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to meet someone face to face to talk about a problem or a disagreement.

    to face someone in a direct or hostile manner, typically to challenge them or address a grievance.

    Example

    She decided to confront her manager about the unfair work schedule.

    Example

    The protesters gathered outside the embassy to confront the ambassador regarding the recent changes in diplomatic policy.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the person being faced.
  2. 2 to deal with a problem (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to deal with a difficult situation or a problem instead of ignoring it.

    to acknowledge and deal with a difficult situation, fact, or problem.

    Example

    We need to confront the fact that our current plan is not working.

    Example

    The administration must confront the systemic issues within the healthcare department before the crisis worsens further.

    Usage

    Often used with abstract nouns like 'reality', 'truth', or 'problem'.
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  1. 3 to present evidence (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    to show someone evidence or a problem so they have to deal with it.

    to bring someone face to face with evidence, a crime, or a difficult truth.

    Example

    The police confronted the suspect with the video evidence from the shop.

    Example

    During the cross-examination, the lawyer confronted the witness with a series of contradictory statements from his previous deposition.

    Usage

    Commonly follows the pattern 'confront someone with something'.
Origin

From Middle French confronter, borrowed from Medieval Latin cōnfrontāre, from con- + frontem (“front, forehead”).

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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