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 teams square off for the fourth time this season. ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026 Virginia and North Carolina squared off at the Bosh for three games, with a solid crowd of scouts in attendance, including at least seven MLB scouting directors, to see the two potential first-rounders in UVA’s lineup and a half-dozen other potential Day 1 picks on the two rosters. Keith Law, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 The Kings will start their trip in Columbus, squaring off with the Blue Jackets in Monday’s makeup game, then book it to Boston for a bout with the Bruins on Tuesday. Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026 Elsewhere on the card, Sean O’Malley will take on Aiemann Zahabi, Michael Chandler will square off against Mauricio Ruffy, Kyle Daukaus will battle against Bo Nickal and Steve Garcia will go up against Diego Lopes. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026 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 13 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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