on points
idiom
: by earning more points or less points (as the case may be) than one's opponent in a game or contest
He beat his opponent on points.
lose to the other team on points
Examples of on points in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaitlyn Duhon had five steals, driving a 17-8 turnover advantage and 15-9 margin on points off turnovers.
—
ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The Kings outscored the Grizzlies 40-38 on points in the paint with a 20-4 advantage in second-chance points.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion then at Mercedes, had been involved in a season-long battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and their intense rivalry came down to the final race of the season with both drivers level on points.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The other eight nations are ranked 5-12 based on points and must compete in a single-game qualification match to move on.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on points
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ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The Kings outscored the Grizzlies 40-38 on points in the paint with a 20-4 advantage in second-chance points.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 Feb. 2026
Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion then at Mercedes, had been involved in a season-long battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and their intense rivalry came down to the final race of the season with both drivers level on points.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The other eight nations are ranked 5-12 based on points and must compete in a single-game qualification match to move on.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on points
Cite this Entry
“On points.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20points. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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