confronted

confronted — verb

1. to go directly up against a person or group, usually in a forceful or unfriendly

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to go directly up against a person or group, usually in a forceful or unfriendly way

例句

After the debate, Obi confronted the mayor outside the town hall.

confront + person directly after a dispute

Liam confronted the bully near the lockers before the teacher arrived.

confront + person in a tense scene

同義詞
  • challenge

    can be less personal and may focus on questioning rather than face-to-face pressure

  • oppose

    broader; often means being against an idea or plan without meeting someone directly

  • face

    more neutral and does not always suggest conflict

  • stand up to

    more informal; stresses courage against a threatening person

反義詞
  • avoid

    stay away from the person or disagreement instead of meeting it directly

  • back down from

    stop challenging the other person

文法句型

confront + person

confront + person + over/about + issue

用法筆記

The object is usually the person or group you challenge face to face. The issue can be added with over or about. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on putting evidence or accusations in front of someone.

常見錯誤

❌Liam confronted against the bully.
✅Liam confronted the bully.
💡confront takes a direct object, not 'against'.

2. to put evidence, an accusation, or another uncomfortable fact in front of someon

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to put evidence, an accusation, or another uncomfortable fact in front of someone so they must answer it

例句

The editor confronted the reporter with copied paragraphs from another article.

confront + person + with + evidence

Police confronted the driver with traffic camera footage from the bridge.

confront + person + with + footage

同義詞
  • accuse

    states blame more directly, while confront leaves room for a response

  • challenge

    can question a claim without presenting proof face to face

  • press

    focuses on demanding an answer, not necessarily on evidence

文法句型

confront + person + with + evidence

confront + person + with + accusation

用法筆記

This sense nearly always uses with to introduce the evidence, accusation, or difficult fact. Distinguish from sense 1, where the focus is simply challenging someone in person rather than forcing a response to proof.

常見錯誤

❌The lawyer confronted him the email.
✅The lawyer confronted him with the email.
💡this sense needs 'with' before the evidence or accusation.

3. to find yourself directly in front of someone or something, often unexpectedly

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to find yourself directly in front of someone or something, often unexpectedly

例句

At the cabin door, the hikers were confronted by a wounded wolf.

passive: be confronted by + person/thing

When Anthony opened the office door, he was confronted by reporters.

sudden encounter in passive form

同義詞
  • encounter

    neutral and broader; it does not always suggest a striking face-to-face moment

  • come across

    more informal and often used for chance discovery

  • run into

    informal and usually used for people or minor obstacles

反義詞
  • miss

    not see or meet the person or thing at all

  • avoid

    keep from meeting the person or situation

文法句型

be confronted by + person/thing

be confronted with + scene/problem

用法筆記

This sense often appears in the passive and names what suddenly comes into view or stands in someone's way. Distinguish from adjective/1, which describes the continuing pressure of having to deal with the situation afterward.

常見錯誤

❌We confronted with a locked gate and turned back.
✅We were confronted with a locked gate and turned back.
💡this encounter sense is commonly expressed in the passive.

confronted — adjective