Meaning & use
encounter
To meet or come across someone or something, often unexpectedly or for the first time.
See it in a sentence
We encountered a family of deer while hiking through the forest.
Many new employees encounter unexpected challenges during their first week.
A note on using this word
Encounter can also function as a noun describing the meeting itself, as in "a chance encounter with an old friend."
Words with a similar meaning
meetcome across
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
An unexpected or brief meeting with a person, animal, or situation.
Their first encounter was at a crowded train station years ago.
Make it your own
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