head-on

1 of 2

adverb

ˈhed-ˈȯn How to pronounce head-on (audio)
-ˈän
1
: with the head or front making the initial contact
the cars collided head-on
2
: in direct opposition, confrontation, or contradiction
met the problem head-on

head-on

2 of 2

adjective

1
: having the front facing in the direction of initial contact or line of sight
a head-on collision
2
: frontal sense 2b
a head-on confrontation

Examples of head-on in a Sentence

Adverb the underdog team met its more talented opponent head-on and won the hockey game through sheer grit
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Her former partner and their daughter were involved in a head-on collision in 2004, and Kianna, then 7, was thrown against the dashboard. Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024 Hartwell then swerved her car into oncoming traffic and struck a Subaru head-on, injuring the driver and front seat passenger. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024
Adjective
Raquel Leviss will be addressing her actions head-on. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2023 Many of its rivals are also racing head-on into the EV market. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for head-on 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'head-on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of head-on was in 1809

Dictionary Entries Near head-on

Cite this Entry

“Head-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head-on. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

head-on

adjective
-ˈȯn,
-ˈän
: having the head or front facing forward : front to front
a head-on collision

More from Merriam-Webster on head-on

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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