The term "ducks the issues" refers to someone who avoids confronting important problems and challenges. To find antonyms for this phrase, we can look for words that indicate facing and dealing with issues directly. Such words include "confronts," "tackles," "addresses," "resolves," "handles," "engages," "faces," and "confronts." When someone confronts the issues, they are willing to acknowledge and tackle problems head-on rather than avoiding them. This approach leads to problem resolution and growth, making it an essential skill in personal and professional settings. In summary, instead of "ducking" the issues, we should aim to confront them courageously and find solutions.