The word 'faced' can be replaced with several alternative words that can convey the same meaning. For instance, the word 'confronted' is a perfect synonym for faced; it's used to describe facing a difficult or challenging task. The word 'encountered' can also be used in place of faced, and it means to meet or come across something. Additionally, 'tackled' is another excellent synonym that suggests attempting to deal with or handle a problem. 'Battled', 'engaged', 'encircled', and 'fronted' are some other possible synonyms for 'faced'. These synonyms can help add variety to your writing and make it more interesting to read.