encounter
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to meet someone or find something, especially when you did not plan to.
v.to meet or come across someone or something unexpectedly. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“We encountered several problems while trying to set up the new software.”
In context“During the expedition, the team encountered a rare species of orchid that had not been documented in this region for decades.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to experience or deal with something difficult.
v.to be faced with or experience something, typically something unpleasant or difficult to manage.
Simple“The project encountered strong opposition from the local community.”
In context“The proposed legislation is expected to encounter significant resistance when it reaches the upper house for debate.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a meeting that happens by chance.
n.an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.
Simple“A brief encounter with an old friend at the airport made my day.”
In context“The memoir describes a chance encounter with a famous poet that changed the course of the author's career.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a violent or difficult meeting between two people or groups.
n.a hostile or adversarial meeting, such as a skirmish, clash, or intense competition.
Simple“The protest ended after a brief encounter between the police and the crowd.”
In context“The border patrol reported a violent encounter with armed smugglers in the early hours of the morning.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a game or match between two teams.
n.a sporting competition or match between two opposing sides.
Simple“The two teams are preparing for their next encounter in the final.”
In context“Fans are eagerly anticipating the weekend's encounter between the league leaders and their historic rivals.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
n.a situation where the police kill a suspected criminal without a trial.
n.a euphemism for an extrajudicial killing by the police or security forces.
Simple“The news reported that the suspect was killed in a police encounter.”
In context“Human rights organizations have called for an independent inquiry into the recent encounter in the outskirts of the city.”
UsageSpecific to Indian English and South Asian media contexts.
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly regional; outside of South Asia, 'encounter' would not be understood as a killing.
Synonyms
Usage encounters between people · encounter difficulty · frequently encounter
From Middle English encountren, from Anglo-Norman encountrer, Old French encontrer (“to confront”), from encontre (“against, counter to”), from Late Latin incontrā (“in front of”) itself from Latin in (“in”) + contrā (“against”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.