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Definitions

face up to

VERB
confront
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accost defy encounter meet oppose repel resist
STRONG
affront beard brave dare flout front scorn withstand
WEAK
call one's bluff come up against face down face off face with go one-on-one go up against make my day meet eyeball-to-eyeball stand up to tell off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
avoid dodge evade surrender yield
WEAK
back down
VERB
face the music
Synonyms
WEAK
be punished bite the bullet come to grips with face the facts face up to it grin and bear it look square in the eye make one's bed and lie on it pay the piper swallow the pill take one's lumps take one's medicine take the consequences

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If convicted, Lu could face up to 20 years in prison.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

"It is an issue for of us and it's an issue particularly I think for men to face up to, to stand up to, to call out," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

If convicted as charged, they each face up to seven years in county jail.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Kequn and Mwangi, who pleaded not guilty, are being prosecuted for wildlife trafficking without a permit and conspiracy, and face up to seven years in prison, according to their lawyer.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

We may as well face up to it: there is a highly visible difference between the pace of basic science and the application of new knowledge to human problems.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas