Showdown: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term when referring to a final or decisive confrontation, often in sports, business, or politics.

• The championship game was the ultimate showdown between the two rivals
• The CEO called for a showdown to resolve the company's internal conflicts

Use confrontation when describing an encounter involving direct conflict or challenge, which can be physical or verbal.

• The heated confrontation in the office disrupted everyone's work
• The police prepared for a possible confrontation with the protesters

This word is suitable for situations involving a conflict or disagreement, often physical or intense in nature.

• There was a clash between the two opposing factions at the protest
• The clash of their differing ideas led to a heated debate

This term is often used in sports or competitive scenarios where two opponents are directly confronting each other.

• The face-off between the two star players was highly anticipated
• They had a face-off to determine who would lead the project

Usually implies a significant or climactic confrontation, and it's often used in sports, competitions, or situations of intense dispute.

• The final game of the season will be the ultimate showdown between the top two teams.
• After weeks of tension, the political debate turned into a showdown on national television.

A method of voting or determining opinion where people raise their hands to indicate their choice or preference, often informal and used in group settings.

• Let’s settle this with a show of hands; who prefers pizza over burgers?
• The teacher asked for a show of hands to see who wanted to go on the field trip.

The act of making known something that was previously hidden or unknown, often used in contexts of discovering truths or details.

• Her revealing speech gave us insight into the challenges she faced during her career.
• The documentary was quite revealing about the secret lives of the celebrities.

This word is best used when referring to a final and decisive confrontation or competition, usually one that resolves a long-standing conflict or rivalry.

• The championship game is the ultimate showdown between the two best teams
• The movie builds up to a dramatic showdown between the hero and the villain

Confront is used when describing a situation where one faces a problem or enemy head-on, often involving direct and assertive engagement. It can carry a negative connotation as it implies a potentially hostile or uncomfortable interaction.

• He had to confront his fears before he could move forward
• The whistleblower decided to confront the executive about the corruption

This term is usually used in sports or competitive contexts where two opponents come head-to-head, especially in a ceremonial start to the contest. It captures the idea of a direct meeting or competition.

• The teams had a face-off to determine who would go to the finals
• The election debates serve as a face-off between the candidates

Challenge generally refers to a call to take part in a contest or competition, often to test someone’s abilities or to argue against someone's position.

• She issued a challenge to the reigning chess champion
• The professor challenged the students to think critically about the topic