tiebreaking

adjective

tie·​break·​ing ˈtī-ˌbrā-kiŋ How to pronounce tiebreaking (audio)
: causing a tie (see tie entry 2 sense 4b) to be broken especially in determining victory in a vote, contest, or game
tiebreaking votes
a tiebreaking goal

Examples of tiebreaking 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 Boston Cannons staged a furious fourth-quarter rally from down 5 goals Friday night at Harvard Stadium only to surrender a tiebreaking score to the California Redwoods with just 2:47 to play in an 18-17 loss. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2025 Spencer Steer hit a tiebreaking three-run home run in Cincinnati’s four-run seventh inning. Matt Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025 Jorge Soler hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning, Mike Trout went deep twice and the Angels beat the Texas Rangers 11-8 on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 The penalty was one of three defensive flags on the Chargers on one third-quarter drive that led to the Steelers kicking a tiebreaking field goal. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024 Goodman added a run-scoring single in the fourth and a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth off reliever Nate Pearson to finish with a career-high seven RBIs. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2024 Harris has been a key component in helping Biden accomplish his legislative agenda, casting the most tiebreaking Senate votes in history. Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 July 2024 Duran turned some heads in his first All-Star Game, hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer for the American League and being awarded the MVP trophy named after Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams. Stephen Hawkins, Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2024 James made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3:22 left and finished with 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Steve Megargee, ajc, 3 Dec. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tiebreaking was in 1888

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tiebreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiebreaking. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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