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sell-off

1 of 2

noun

: a usually sudden sharp decline in security prices accompanied by increased volume of trading

sell off

2 of 2

verb

sold off; selling off; sells off

intransitive verb

: to suffer a drop in prices

Examples of sell-off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sparked an international sell-off of equities and huge volatility in energy markets as the Western world drastically reduced trade and investment in Russia. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025 Worse, the company faces twin headwinds in the form of a bearish crypto market and an impending rule change that will likely trigger a mass sell-off of its stock. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
Alphabet stock significantly outperformed its 'Magnificent 7' peers during the month of November, which saw several tech stocks sell off. Pia Singh, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025 The cryptocurrency sold off sharply late Sunday — tumbling more than $4,000 in just a few hours — as December trading kicked off in Asia. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sell-off

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1976, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sell-off was in 1976

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sell-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-off. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.

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