Head-on

Pronunciation varies by accent · adjective

Meaning

(idiomatic) Direct, abrupt, blunt or unequivocal; not prevaricating; uncompromising.

Definitions by Sense

1. (idiomatic) Direct, abrupt, blunt or unequivocal; not prevaricating; uncompromising
2. Of a collision, from the front or in the direction of motion.
3. With the front of a vehicle.
4. With direct confrontation.
5. A collision from the front.

Example Sentences

a head-on approach to a problem

In what way do we benefit from speaking of things indirectly? How does such a distancing allow us to better discover - and describe - people and objects? How does distancing produce an effect? Westerners find it natural and normal to meet the world head-on. But what can we gain from approaching the world obliquely?

Getting into a head-on collision is dangerous.

This secondary collision, head-on with a closing speed of 142mph, caused the DVT to veer off to the left. Many of the coaches behind it overturned and careered into an adjacent field.

Wave direction and frequency (period) are two factors that influence the effect of waves on a moored ship. Whether the ship responds by surging, swaying or yawing will depend on whether the waves are striking the moored vessel head-on, beam-on or quartering, the frequency of the waves and the manner in which the tanker is moored.

During the day conditions worsened quickly—for example, a 2-6-0 on the Uckfield line suddenly encountered flood water high enough to enter its ashpan and extinguish its fire—until lock gates up-river at Barcombe gave way and a tidal wave rolled down the valley meeting head-on a spring tide rolling up from the coast.

And there is little research to address the issue head on. A previous study, published in 2000, surveyed doctors and found that three quarters of them said some patients addressed them by their first name.

He was injured in a head-on with a larger vehicle.

Synonyms for head-on

Antonyms for head-on

Related Words

Word Forms

• head on
• head-ons

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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