adv. phr. 1. When met or in the presence of; threatened by. He was brave in the face of danger. She began to cry in the face of failure. 2. Although opposed by; without being stopped by. Talking continued even in the face of the teacher's command to stop.
Synonym: IN SPITE OF.
Compare: FLY IN THE FACE OF, IN ONE'S FACE. 3. See: FLY IN THE PACE OF.