brief
I did not see him again, except for a brief encounter on a train.

casual, chance, unexpected
It was a chance encounter that led to the setting up of the new political party.

close
I decided not to risk a second close encounter with the snakes.

face-to-face | direct
The press conference was her first direct encounter with the media.

unpleasant, violent | social
the language we use in everyday social encounters

sexual

have
I had my first encounter with the president two years ago.

take place

~ between
violent encounters between police and protesters

~ with
my first encounter with my new boss

commonly, frequently, often, regularly
Walruses were commonly encountered in the Shetland Islands until quite recently.

rarely | inevitably

be likely to
What are the difficulties you are most likely to encounter?