sell-off

1 of 2

noun

: 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
Breslow knows a sell-off would mean admitting the firings didn’t work. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Chipmakers — Several semiconductor companies rebounded after a sell-off Tuesday as investors rotated back to this year's winners. Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Verb
The consistent freezes spurred many smaller growers to give up their careers and sell off their land to developers. Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026 Farmers are selling off livestock, equipment, even furniture just to afford food. Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 12 June 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 21 Jun. 2026.

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