own goal
noun
1
chiefly British
: a goal in soccer, hockey, etc., that a player accidentally scores against his or her own team
2
British
: something that one does thinking it will help him or her but that actually causes one harm
The workers scored an own goal by demanding such high wages that no one could afford to employ them.
Examples of own goal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team carried this momentum into the second half, scoring five goals in 12 minutes, thanks to a brace from Ally Sentnor, lone goals from Rodman and Emma Sears and an own goal forced by Croix Bethune.
—
Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2026
Scoring at the right end this time, after tying on Slavia Prague’s behalf with an own goal before the interval, Robert Lewandowski then later struck to give Barca all three points and hopes of not having to contest a playoff in order to reach the next stage of the tournament.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The Russian president lying to him about his home being attacked was an own goal.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Like an outfielder losing a high pop-up in the stadium lights, Copley missed the puck completely on what was tantamount to an own goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for own goal
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Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2026
Scoring at the right end this time, after tying on Slavia Prague’s behalf with an own goal before the interval, Robert Lewandowski then later struck to give Barca all three points and hopes of not having to contest a playoff in order to reach the next stage of the tournament.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The Russian president lying to him about his home being attacked was an own goal.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Like an outfielder losing a high pop-up in the stadium lights, Copley missed the puck completely on what was tantamount to an own goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for own goal
Cite this Entry
“Own goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20goal. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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