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.

See Examples For:

face up to

Under the deal, he’ll pay a $2.25 million fine and face up to five years behind bars.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026

They face up to 10 years in prison.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

The case continues, and if found guilty the Ulm 5 face up to five years in prison.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

Lu, who was supported by dozens of community members during his one-week trial in Brooklyn, could face up to 30 years in prison for the charges linked to the illegal police station.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

She stood there grinning, tilt-ing her face up to the mist, and staring at that fountain of water.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech

face up to

Example Sentences

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