triple-team

verb

tri·​ple-team ˈtri-pəl-ˌtēm How to pronounce triple-team (audio)
triple-teamed; triple-teaming; triple-teams

transitive verb

: to block or guard (an opponent) with three players at one time
triple-team noun

Examples of triple-team 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.
Kelce caught four passes despite, as the docuseries mentioned, being triple-teamed at one point. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025 The respectful double- and triple-teams might have produced additional opportunities for his teammates, but Verse wasn’t making the splash plays that fed his own energy. Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025 The half-court spacing around Jokic was a constant topic of discussion as Denver’s three-time MVP faced frequent double- and triple-teams. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 27 June 2025 Defenses started to game plan against McConkey in the second half of the year, leading to double- and even triple-teams. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Banchero, who was getting double- and triple-teamed, hit only 4 of 13 shots while Franz Wagner made only 6 of 15. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025 Even when teams try to double- or triple-team him, Quenda finds ways to wriggle out thanks to his close control, especially when moving at pace. Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025 What had been a 14-point lead over Northwestern with a little more than two minutes left Monday night was down to one with 21 seconds to go after Bruins forward Tyler Bilodeau was triple-teamed and called for traveling, eventually leading to a backdoor layup for the Wildcats. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of triple-team was in 1973

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Triple-team.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triple-team. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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