showdown
Decisive face-off moment
A showdown is a decisive confrontation that settles a dispute or rivalry.
The word comes from poker, where players reveal their cards to determine a winner.
It now applies broadly to any climactic face-off: The showdown between the two candidates drew millions of viewers.
A showdown implies finality—after it, the matter is resolved.
Direct clash between opponents
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
- battleArmed military engagement
fight · duel · rivalry · challenge · dispute · altercation · skirmish · feud
Armed combat with firearms
- high noonSolar zenith, or confrontation
- cowboysRanch hands tending herds
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
- quickdrawRapid weapon retrieval
pistols · six-shooter · holster · standoff · gunslinger · outlaw · sheriff · saloon
Concluding part of performance
- culminationHighest or final point
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
- decisive momentPivotal juncture determining outcome
crunch time · moment of truth · final reckoning · endgame · resolution · conclusion · decider · tiebreaker
Stiff paper rectangles
- bluffCalculated false front
- all-inFully committed, nothing held back
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
- potVessel for cooking
fold · call · raise · winner-take-all · chips · betting · hand · table
Competition for top rank
- finalsConcluding tests or matches
- playoffContest deciding advancement
- semifinalSecond-to-last tournament stage
- title matchContest for supremacy
decider · rematch · tournament · cup final · elimination · quarterfinal · title bout · grudge match
face-off
Direct clash between opponents
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- conflictOpposition between parties
battle · fight · duel · rivalry · challenge · dispute · altercation · skirmish · feud · struggle
gunfight
Armed combat with firearms
- high noonSolar zenith, or confrontation
- cowboysRanch hands tending herds
- duelPrearranged one-on-one combat
quickdraw · pistols · six-shooter · holster · standoff · gunslinger · outlaw · sheriff · saloon · tumbleweed
finale
Concluding part of performance
- culminationHighest or final point
- denouementStory's final unraveling
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
decisive moment · crunch time · moment of truth · final reckoning · endgame · resolution · conclusion · decider · tiebreaker · last stand
cards
Stiff paper rectangles
- bluffCalculated false front
- all-inFully committed, nothing held back
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
pot · fold · call · raise · winner-take-all · chips · betting · hand · table · river card
championship
Competition for top rank
- finalsConcluding tests or matches
- playoffContest deciding advancement
- semifinalSecond-to-last tournament stage
title match · decider · rematch · tournament · cup final · elimination · quarterfinal · title bout · grudge match · sudden death
- conflictclash, fight, war, battle, dispute
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- action clichesexplosion, car chase, one-liner, slow motion, shootout
- action-adventurecombat, exploration, treasure, quest, hero
- conflictsargument, fight, war, battle, dispute
- Decisive Momentsfinal round, tiebreaker, sudden death, overtime, gold medal match
showdowncompromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
agreement · reconciliation · negotiation · peacemaking · settlement
showdownavoidance
Deliberate keeping away
evasion · retreat · withdrawal · deferral · postponement
showdownstasis
State of inactivity
status quo · impasse · deadlock · limbo · holding pattern
- ultimate showdownConclusive decisive conflict
- final showdownDecisive concluding confrontation
- poker showdownFinal hand comparison