play-off

noun

Definition of play-offnext
as in championship

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of play-off There has been no Premier League football for a decade, though, and there was an underwhelming Championship play-off final defeat by Hull City in May. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 In great news, the Minnesota Lynx’s were the first team to clinch a play-off spot, a top spot at that. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The Maroons ascended back to France's top tier in the summer after winning their play-off match to return after just a single season. — Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025 This includes the promotion/relegation play-off games and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup next year to kick off the 2026-27 season. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play-off
  1. championship
  2. semifinal
  3. final
  4. derby
Noun
  • The Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series championships each have been punctuated by the Freddie Freeman Signature Moment.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • After Carolina raised its Stanley Cup championship banner in a pregame ceremony, the teams traded missed scoring chances throughout a scoreless regulation.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of championship
Noun
  • In other Asian Games events like hockey, players from both countries did embrace each other and shook hands with each other after India beat Pakistan in the semifinal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The only other meeting between the Bison and Hornets was in 1988, in an NCAA Division II national semifinal, won by North Dakota State, 42-20.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • The final between the two Chinese women was a match between friends.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Gaines, then swimming for the University of Kentucky, tied Thomas for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle final.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of final
Noun
  • Atletico Madrid won the first capital derby of the season in the Spanish league with a 2-1 win against 10-man Real Madrid, while Manchester City prevailed in an eight-goal thriller against Sunderland to move clear at the top of the Premier League.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The 46-year-old, whose team won 1-0 against Manchester United in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday despite Phil Foden’s first-half red card, is a firm believer in the power of music in an elite performance setting.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of derby

Browse Nearby Words

playmates
play-off
play-offs
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Cite this Entry

“Play-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/play-off. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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