Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

Under new legislation, people caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally will face up to five years in prison.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Grant added that a third of CalMac sailings on Thursday were subject to disruptions, and called on ministers to "face up to their responsibilities and ensure that communities are properly compensated".

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

If found guilty, the man may face up to life in prison for treason.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

If convicted, Soofer could face up to 20 years in federal prison and as many as 17 years in state lockup, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

And the sun was making her drowsy, until at last she closed the book and held her face up to its warm rays.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.