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

Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Firm warnings, calibrated arms deliveries to Ukraine staving off major Russian gains, and a reliance on a mutual interest with Mr. Putin to avert a head-on conflict? Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 The proposal was introduced in the Legislature after a Key Biscayne woman on a bike died in a head-on collision with a 12-year-old boy riding an electric bicycle on Valentine’s Day. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Read the full Leo Daily Horoscope Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Face your vulnerabilities head-on as Mars and Chiron harmonize. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 According to the police report, the Toyota crossed into oncoming traffic and hit the Nissan head-on. Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 3 Mar. 2024 Have the confidence to address the challenge head-on. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The leader's intent may be to tackle the challenge head-on, embrace the learning opportunity and come together to work through it. Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 While the family’s rules had softened by the early 1960s, Mr. Rothschild’s proposals for a merger with S.G. Warburg collided head-on with tradition. Alan Cowell, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Seven farmworkers traveling in a van and the driver of a pickup truck were killed Friday in a head-on crash in a farming area in central California, police said. CBS News, 24 Feb. 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 Police said Montenegro-Garcia’s vehicle then struck another vehicle head-on, with all four vehicles involved in the crash ending up in Rob Roy Creek, which runs next to Route 47. Megan Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023 In a video posted to his platform on Friday, Paffrath addressed the allegations head-on in a video titled: ‘Being Sued’. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2023 Investigators said one of the vehicles involved crashed into a guardrail head-on. Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2023 According to the report, Joyce Venable, 76, was traveling westbound when she was struck head-on by the man's Honda Accord. Ashley Savage, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2023 Should your appetite require something more modest than a whole head-on fish, the kitchen puts together a mean taco plate, featuring the kind of cuts, offal and otherwise, that don’t play in more trendy taquerias. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2023 The point is, no matter the situation, nurses are up on their feet (often for upwards of 12 hours at a time), ready to face the day head-on. Rebecca Norris, Woman's Day, 10 Mar. 2023

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

head-on

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

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