encountered

noun

A meeting, especially one that is unplanned or unexpected.

A hostile, often violent meeting; a confrontation, skirmish, or clash, as between combatants.

(sexuality) 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.

(sports) A match between two opposing sides.

(India) An extrajudicial killing or execution.

(sciences) The period of a space mission during which it carries out its data-gathering objectives.

verb

(transitive) To meet (someone) or find (something), especially unexpectedly.

(transitive) To confront (someone or something) face to face.

(intransitive) To engage in conflict, as with an enemy.

(transitive, euphemistic, India) To kill or execute someone extrajudicially.

(intransitive, rare) To meet one another.

Roots

contracounter- · Latin · against, opposite

Synonyms & related words for encountered

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Words related to encountered

Explore words related to encountered — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include encountering, encounters, meet, rencounter, confronted, met, find, discovered. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does encountered come from?

The word encountered breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root counter-, from Latin contra (“against, opposite”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.