1 a : to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way • They confronted the invaders at the shore. — often used as (be) confronted • He wasconfronted by a security guard when he tried to leave the store. • The mayor wasconfronted by a group of angry protestors.
1b : to directly question the action or authority of (someone) • Sheconfronted him about his smoking. • No one was willing to confront[=challenge] the company president on that point.
2 a : to deal with (something, such as a problem or danger) • Theyconfronted [=(more commonly) encountered] many obstacles along the way.; especially : to deal with (something) in an honest and direct way • The treatment center helps people confront [=face] their addictions. • It’s better to confront [=address] a problem than to avoid it.
2 b : to force (someone) to see or deal with (something, such as a problem) in a direct way • The photographs confront the viewer with images of desperate poverty. • I confronted her with the evidence.— often used as (be) confronted • They wereconfronted with many problems during the project.
2c : to be a problem for (someone or something) • We know of the financial problems confronting [=facing] local schools.
: to cause (a cloth or other material) to become worn down at the end or edge : to separate the threads of (a material) [with object] • She frayed the edges of her cutoff jeans. = She frayed her cutoff jeans at the edges. [no object] • The cuffs of the old shirt werefraying. — often used figuratively • Her temper was starting to fray.[=she was beginning to get angry] • His nerves were frayed/fraying. • their frayed/fraying friendship
1 : to cause a strong flow of water to clean (a toilet) [with object]• flush the toilet [no object] • The toilet flushes automatically.
Note: If you flush something down the toilet you get rid of it by putting it in the toilet bowl and flushing the toilet. • Police suspect that the drugs were flushed down the toilet.
2 a [with object] : to clean (something) with a flow of water or some other liquid • Flush the wound with water. • The doctor flushed her eye with a special solution. — often followed by out • He flushed out the car's radiator. • flush out the system
2b [with object] : to remove (something) with a flow of liquid • Theyflushed impurities from the system. = They flushed impurities out of the system. • He used a hose to flush the leaves from the gutters.
3 [no object] : to become red in the face because of heat, emotion, etc. • She flushed with anger/embarrassment. • Her face flushed at the mention of his name.