point-shaving

noun

point-shav·​ing ˈpoint-ˌshā-viŋ 

often attributive

: an attempt (as by a member of the team favored to win) to influence the final score of a game so that the predicted winner wins by less than the point spread

Examples of point-shaving in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Transfers and car wrecks and injuries and Simeon Cottle — the best player on the team and maybe in Conference USA — being accused of point-shaving. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026

Even if point-shaving is rare, each new revelation reinforces the notion that the system is rigged. — Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026

After transferring from DePaul, Terry and Nelson continued to participate in the point-shaving scheme. — Brendan Marks, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026

Gamblers allegedly got players to agree to point-shaving in games from 2022-25; charges include bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for point-shaving

• behaving
• engraving
• enslaving
• lifesaving
• repaving
• autoclaving
• misbehaving
• braving
• caving
• craving
• graving
• laving