confront

Everyday

1. To confront someone is to face them, often to argue or talk about a problem. tree →
2. To confront a problem or danger is to deal with it instead of avoiding it. tree →
3. If a problem confronts you, you have to face it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you might confront a friend who took your things, or confront your fear of the dark. In stories, the hero finally confronts the villain. In safety, never confront a dangerous person or animal — get away and tell an adult. Phrases: confront someone about, confront a fear, be confronted with.

Examples

• She confronted her brother about the missing chocolate. tree →
• The knight confronted the dragon. tree →
• You have to confront your fears to beat them. tree →
• We were confronted with a huge pile of homework. tree →
• The teacher confronted the problem of bullying. tree →
• Don't confront a burglar — call the police. tree →

Note

Regular verb. The noun is «confrontation» (an angry face-to-face argument). «Confront» is stronger than «talk to» and often suggests anger or courage.

In Jewish tradition

In these texts it means to meet in a hostile way, to come against someone, often in battle or trouble.

Interpretation. Tradition reads these psalms as David's cry for God to meet his enemies and save him.

Examples

• The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of Death confronted me. (Prophets 2SA.22.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• They confronted me in the day of my calamity; but the LORD was a stay unto me. (Prophets 2SA.22.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Arise, O LORD, confront him, cast him down; deliver my soul from the wicked, by Thy sword; (Writings PSA.17.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb. The noun is «confrontation» (an angry face-to-face argument). «Confront» is stronger than «talk to» and often suggests anger or courage.