square off

verb

squared off; squaring off; squares off

intransitive verb

1
: to take a fighting stance : prepare to fight
also : to fight or argue
squared off in a debate
2
: to compete in a contest
The two teams squared off for the championship.

transitive verb

: to make square : to give (something) straight edges, flat surfaces, or sharp, even corners

Examples of square 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.
The Supreme Court on Friday temporarily halted a lower court order that threw out Texas' redrawn congressional maps in time for next month's candidate filing deadline — as the state and its legal opponents square off on whether the maps were driven by politics or race. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025 In one corner, Carmelo Hayes squares off against Bronson Reed, while in another marquee matchup, Penta takes on Finn Bálor. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025 Then there's an NBA double-header with Jalen Brunson and the Knicks facing off against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks followed by a Luka Dončić revenge game as the Lakers square off against the Mavericks. PC Magazine, 20 Nov. 2025 On Friday night in Yolo County on Bob Hamilton Court, UC Davis and Sacramento State squared off for the 123rd time with regional bragging rights part of the experience of teams trying to build momentum with wholesale roster changes since last season. Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for square off

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of square off was in 1838

Cite this Entry

“Square off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/square%20off. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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