square off
verb
squared off; squaring off; squares off
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.
: 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
Six teams in each conference square off while the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, the top seeds of the AFC and NFC, respectively, enjoy their bye weeks.
—
Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The play receives mixed reviews from the women, leading them to square off against each other.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Tuesday’s game is the second time these teams square off this season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson square off in a winner-take-all scenario.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for square off
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Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The play receives mixed reviews from the women, leading them to square off against each other.
—Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Tuesday’s game is the second time these teams square off this season.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson square off in a winner-take-all scenario.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for square off
Cite this Entry
“Square off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/square%20off. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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