encounters

Noun

encounter (plural encounters)

1. A meeting, especially one that is unplanned or unexpected.
   • Their encounter was a matter of chance.
2. A hostile, often violent meeting; a confrontation, skirmish, or clash, as between combatants.

   Synonyms:

   clash, confrontation, brush, skirmish

3. A match between two opposing sides.
   • Andre Santos equalised and the outstanding Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead for the first time before Juan Mata's spectacular strike set up the finale for an enthralling encounter.2011 October 29, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal”, in BBC Sport
4. A sexual encounter; sexual activity, especially unplanned or unexpected, between two people who have not already established a sexual relationship with each other. In many cases, it does not lead to a relationship, and thus is utterly transient. A sexual encounter can be consensual or non-consensual; in the latter case, it is known as sexual assault. A consensual sexual encounter that happens only once is commonly known as a one-night stand.
   • Though Mr. Cosby described the sexual encounter in 2004 as consensual, Ms. Constand said she was too intoxicated to physically or verbally resist.2021 October 10, Graham Bowley, “For One Bill Cosby Juror, the Work Did Not End With the Trial”, in The New York Times
5. The period of a space mission during which it carries out its data-gathering objectives.
6. (India) An extrajudicial killing or execution.
   • Telangana Labour and Employment Minister Malla Reddy on Tuesday said that the guilty person in the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Hyderabad "will be nabbed and will be killed in an encounter".2021 September 15, “Telangana Minister says, rapist of six-year-old will be nabbed and killed in encounter”, in Catch News, retrieved 25 Feb 2023

See all 11 meanings of encounter