How to say "confrontation" in Japanese

• 対決たいけつJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers a direct, decisive clash between two parties — a showdown in which the matter is settled, such as a political face-off or a contest between rivals.
  経営けいえい側がわと労働者ろうどうしゃ側がわとの対決たいけつがあるでしょう。↗

  There is going to be a show-down between management and labor.
• 対立たいりつJLPT N2approx.Common
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveDescribes a state of opposition or antagonism — conflicting positions, interests, or views between people or groups — rather than a single decisive clash.
  そのヤクザ達たちは対立たいりつするヤクザの親分おやぶんを暗殺あんさつする計画けいかくの仲間なかまに彼かれを入いれた。↗

  The gangsters let him in on their plan to knock off a rival gang leader.
• 直面ちょくめんJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounReally means facing something head-on — being confronted with a crisis, difficulty, or problem — so it is seldom the word for a clash between two opposing parties.
• 対峙たいじCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbDescribes adversaries, armies, or forces squared off against each other in a standoff, each holding its own; the emphasis is on facing each other rather than settling the matter.

Use 対決 for a decisive showdown between parties, 対立 for opposition or antagonism between positions or interests, 対峙 for forces squared off in a standoff, and 直面 for facing a crisis head-on rather than clashing with an opponent.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 対決たいけつconfrontation
• 対立たいりつconfrontation
• 直面ちょくめんconfrontation
• 対審たいしんconfrontation
• 臨みのぞみchallenge
• いがみ合いいがみあいquarrel
• 対峙たいじconfrontation
• にらみ合いにらみあいconfrontation