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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.

But this year has already produced 12—and that’s before the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers square off on Monday night.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

Still, all that wasn’t enough to woo Notre Dame to square off against Brigham Young University, the other selected school, for this year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

The Buckeyes and the Hoosiers will square off in Saturday’s Big Ten championship game in a matchup of the nation’s only undefeated teams, with both guaranteed spots in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

A couple of former University of Oregon quarterbacks square off Sunday in a pivotal AFC West matchup.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2025

Teams would square off when trials were under way and he’d watch to see how well various kids played.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge