While hiking in the desert, the geologists encountered an unexpected fossil bed that dated back millions of years.
地质学家在沙漠徒步时意外发现了一个可追溯到数百万年前的化石层。
As a result, elephants can recall the locations of watering holes visited decades earlier and recognize individual elephants and humans they have not encountered in years.
From a Central Ideas and Details question · Information and Ideas
Which choice best defines “encounter”?
A — Meet, especially unexpectedly. “encounter” means meet, especially unexpectedly.
Which word means “meet, especially unexpectedly”?
C — encounter. “encounter” means meet, especially unexpectedly.
encounter — meet, especially unexpectedly. In Chinese: 遇到，邂逅.
encounter is pronounced /ɪnˈkaʊntər/.
While hiking in the desert, the geologists encountered an unexpected fossil bed that dated back millions of years. (地质学家在沙漠徒步时意外发现了一个可追溯到数百万年前的化石层。)
meet, confront, come across — all close in meaning to encounter (meet, especially unexpectedly).
avoid, miss — each the opposite of encounter (meet, especially unexpectedly).
Yes. encounter is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.
en(make)+counter(opposite)