: 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
Nvidia's stock is up about 14-fold since then, even with a recent pullback related to the Huang scandal and the broader sell-off in the AI trade. — Kif Leswing,annie Palmer,kevin Breuninger,samantha Subin,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 12 Nov. 2026 The latest dip in Huang’s wealth only compounded upon pre-existing problems, as the CEO briefly dropped out of the top 10 last week after a broad tech stock sell-off following the Democrats’ midterm victories. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2026
Verb
The following year, a Singapore subsidiary of a Chinese gaming firm was sold off, emerging with a new name, Megaspeed, and a managing director named Alice Huang. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Nov. 2026 Jones admitted not being happy with selling off the pieces owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and the front office did, but understands this is a business. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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