confront

/kənˈfrʌnt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈfrʌnt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈfrənt/ (ame, mw)

confront — verb

  • confrontpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • confrontshe / she / it
  • confrontedpast simple
  • confronting-ing form

1. to deal directly with a difficult problem, an unpleasant situation, or a threate

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to deal directly with a difficult problem, an unpleasant situation, or a threatening challenge instead of trying to avoid or ignore it

例句

Adisa had to confront the fact that his business was losing money.

confront + the fact that-clause

The city council is confronting a serious housing crisis this winter.

同義詞
  • face

    less active — you can face something without taking action to solve it

  • tackle

    implies energetic effort to solve a practical problem

  • address

    more formal and suggests a planned, thoughtful approach

反義詞
  • avoid

    to keep away from a problem instead of dealing with it

  • ignore

    to deliberately pay no attention to a problem

文法句型

confront + noun phrase

confront + the fact that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used with abstract nouns as direct objects — problem, issue, challenge, fear, truth, reality. Often implies the situation has been avoided for some time before being addressed.

常見錯誤

❌I confronted my homework after dinner.
✅I tackled my homework after dinner.
💡'confront' is too strong for routine tasks; use for serious or difficult challenges only.
❌We confronted the nice weather by going for a walk.
✅We enjoyed the nice weather by going for a walk.
💡'confront' implies difficulty or threat, not something pleasant.

2. to move towards someone in a determined or angry way and speak to them directly,

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to move towards someone in a determined or angry way and speak to them directly, usually because you want to argue, question their actions, or get them to explain themselves

例句

Bilal confronted the shop owner about the broken window.

confront + about + reason

The manager confronted Caleb directly when she saw him taking supplies without permission.

同義詞
  • face

    less aggressive — simply standing before someone

  • accost

    more confrontational and unwanted; often implies a stranger approaching

  • challenge

    implies questioning someone's authority or right to something

反義詞
  • avoid

    to stay away from someone instead of facing them

  • flee

    to run away from a threatening or difficult person

文法句型

confront + someone

confront + someone + about + noun phrase

confront + someone + over + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often followed by the preposition 'about' or 'over' to specify the reason for the confrontation. The tone ranges from serious disagreement to open hostility.

常見錯誤

❌She confronted her friend for lunch at the cafe.
✅She met her friend for lunch at the cafe.
💡'confront' implies disagreement or challenge, not a friendly meeting.

3. to force someone to deal with or respond to unpleasant facts, evidence, or a dif

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to force someone to deal with or respond to unpleasant facts, evidence, or a difficult person, often in order to accuse them, criticize them, or demand an explanation

例句

The lawyer confronted Amihan with the signed contract during the trial.

confront + with + evidence

Tamar was confronted with proof that she had lied on her job application.

passive: be confronted with + proof

同義詞
  • present

    neutral — does not carry the implication of accusation or unpleasantness

  • accuse

    specific to claiming someone has done something wrong; narrower than 'confront'

反義詞
  • conceal

    to hide unpleasant information from someone

  • spare

    to save someone from having to face something unpleasant

文法句型

confront + someone + with + noun phrase

passive: be confronted with + noun phrase

passive: be confronted by + someone

用法筆記

Common in the passive construction 'be confronted with'. The object of 'with' is typically unpleasant: evidence, proof, facts, accusations. The active form 'confront someone with' is slightly more formal.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher confronted the student with a prize for good work.
✅The teacher presented the student with a prize for good work.
💡'confront with' is for unpleasant things; use 'present with' for positive surprises.