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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 Premier Lacrosse League, which recently got investments from Glen Powell and Rob Mac, is teaming with another Hollywood A-lister to promote Sunday’s ABC telecast of its championship game.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
  • So instead of helping push for a third consecutive Stanley Cup championship, Barkov could only watch as his team missed the playoffs all together for the first time since 2019.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of championship
Noun
  • In 2024, the teams faced off in a CFP semifinal, which the Buckeyes won 28-14 on their way to the championship.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Ohio State knocked the Longhorns out of the 2024 CFP in the Cotton Bowl semifinal, 28-14, on their way to that season's national title, then beat them again 14-7 in last year's season opener.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • Twelve years later, England arranged themselves in a V-shape which outflanked the haka, their fly-half Owen Farrell appearing to wink at the All Blacks’ display — and made it through to the World Cup final with a 19-7 triumph.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • However, Rybakina shook off the break, taking the next two games to force a deciding third set to determine who will join women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of final
Noun
  • Chelsea will make a late decision on Moises Caicedo on Saturday, ahead of the team’s London derby against Arsenal the following day.
    — Sam Joseph, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Also later Sunday, Marseille visited Monaco for a southern derby in the French league.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 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 18 Sep. 2026.

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