French word

affronter

Pronunciation

IPA/afʁɔ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbface

Example

Il a courageusement affronté le problème.

He bravely faced the problem.

Illustration for affronter (face)

More examples

Ils ont dû affronter des difficultés imprévues.

They had to face unexpected difficulties.

Core concept

A person moves straight toward a barrier or opponent instead of avoiding it, ready for direct contact and possible conflict.

Common phrases

  • affronter des difficultés

    face difficulties

  • affronter quelqu'un

    face someone

  • affronter une épreuve

    face an ordeal

Similar words

faire face à: To deal with a problem or difficulty by facing it directly.
aborder: To take up a matter or topic carefully and begin discussing it.
confronter: To face someone directly in a clash of opinions or claims.

Definition in French

Faire face directement à un obstacle, une difficulté ou à une opposition, souvent en acceptant le risque du conflit.

Word origin

The verb developed in Old French from a- attached to front, ultimately from Latin frons, frontis, meaning 'forehead' or 'front'.

Usage tips

  • Affronter takes a direct object without a preposition, as in 'affronter un problème' or 'affronter un adversaire'.

Other meanings

  • confrontverb
  • challengeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word