: being slower than usual or expected
throwing off-speed pitches

Examples of off-speed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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His changeup and mix of off-speed pitches were especially effective. Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026 The Red Devils didn’t do much with Umbright’s off-speed pitches, either. Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 The Phillies remain focused on developing his off-speed pitches, director of pitching development Travis Hergert said, particularly a tighter slider to be thrown early in the counts and in hitters’ counts. Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 2 June 2026 With the count 2-1 on Seiya Suzuki, Pirates pitcher Yohan Ramirez delivered an off-speed pitch off the inside of the plate that had Suzuki nearly offering at it before pulling the bat back. Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for off-speed

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-speed was in 1951

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Cite this Entry

“Off-speed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-speed. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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