confront
Definitions
To face or deal with a difficult situation directly.
正视，正面应对（困难）
To stand against or challenge someone face to face.
对抗，与…对峙
To present someone with something (esp. evidence) they must respond to.
使面对（证据等）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (together, face to face) + front (face) = to bring faces together in opposition. To confront is to stand directly against — you face a problem head-on instead of avoiding it, or you face a person down. The directness of two foreheads meeting is the whole point.
Root front still carries 22 more wordsUsage Guide
Note the prepositions: confront a problem / person (direct object); confront someone about something (raise an issue with them); be confronted with/by something (have it placed before you). 'Confront' is stronger and more direct than 'address' or 'deal with' — it implies meeting head-on, often with tension.
Example Sentences
- 1.
We must confront these problems before they get worse.
- 2.
She confronted her boss about the unfair decision.
- 3.
When confronted with the evidence, he finally confessed.
Synonym Comparison
- confront — meet head-on, face to face, often with tension
- face — neutral, accept and deal with: face the facts
- address — formal, begin to tackle systematically: address an issue
- tackle — energetic, roll up your sleeves: tackle a backlog
- challenge — dispute or question someone's claim or authority