Definitions

square off

VERB

contest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compete contend defend vie

STRONG

altercate attack battle brawl buck conflict cross duel feud hassle quarrel repel rival row rumpus scrap scuffle sock strike struggle tilt traverse withstand wrangle

WEAK

break with fight over gang up on knuckle with lay a finger on lay out put on gloves put up dukes set to take on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abandon desert leave surrender

STRONG

agree aid assist concur harmonize help make peace support yield

WEAK

allow give up resign

VERB

dare

Synonyms

STRONGEST

insult oppose provoke resist taunt threaten

STRONG

beard brave bully confront cope denounce disregard face front goad meet mock scorn spurn

WEAK

call one's bluff face off knock chip off shoulder laugh at make my day muster courage outdare run the gauntlet step over the line take one on throw down the gauntlet

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compliment help praise

STRONG

approve dodge hide

WEAK

be careful hold back refrain

VERB

face

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allow challenge confront deal with encounter endure experience fight meet oppose risk run into suffer take

STRONG

abide accost affront bear beard brace brave brook contend countenance court cross dare defy eyeball resist stand stomach submit sustain swallow tolerate venture withstand

WEAK

be confronted by bit the bullet cope with fly in face of go up against grapple with make a stand take it take on take the bull by the horns tell off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist avoid disallow discontinue dodge help hold keep refuse reject support surrender yield

STRONG

disapprove evade give in give up halt hide ignore leave resist shun stop veto

WEAK

back retreat run withdraw

VERB

tackle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin deal with engage in take on try undertake work on

STRONG

accept attack attempt essay launch

WEAK

apply oneself bang away at come to grips with devote oneself to embark upon give a try give a whirl go for it make a run at pitch into set about start the ball rolling take a shot at take in hand take on try on for size turn one's hand to turn to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abstain complete conclude end finish

STRONG

be lazy

WEAK

avoid dodge forget idle neglect

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.

The public is about to square off with the bond market in Britain, and the country’s politicians are struggling to play both sides.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The two will square off in the Peach State’s Senate runoff on June 16.

From Slate • May 28, 2026

Raman and Bass will square off again Wednesday, during a televised debate from the Skirball Cultural Center hosted by NBC4 and Telemundo 52 starting at 5 pm.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

On Sunday, exactly 46 years since the most stunning upset in the history of Olympic hockey, the U.S. and Canada will square off in a heavyweight showdown for global hockey supremacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

Natasha does the same thing and they square off, mirror images of each other.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

square off

Example Sentences

Related Words