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 Vojvodina had beaten Atletico Madrid in a play-off to earn their place and won the first leg against Celtic 1-0. — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Following the qualifying and play-off rounds, seven clubs survived to join the 29 squads that qualified in advance. — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 10 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for play-off
  1. championship
  2. semifinal
  3. final
  4. derby
Noun
  • LeBron James got the business from Knicks fans still gloating and riding an emotional high from an NBA championship banner celebration.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • LeBron James played spoiler against the New York Knicks on their championship banner night in his first game of his unprecedented 24th NBA season, but not before getting into a war of words with a fan.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of championship
Noun
  • The Kazakhstan star will face Leylah Fernandez for the title after the Canadian beat Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 7-5 in the other semifinal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The senior forward/midfielder scored his eighth goal of the season, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 win over Marist in a Class 3A Rich Township Regional semifinal in Richton Park.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • Morocco hopes to host the 2030 World Cup final in a 115,000-capacity stadium under construction near Casablanca and has been lauded for its player development through its Mohamed VI Academy, an advanced training complex.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The continent’s inventors are in the spotlight as Johannesburg prepares to host the final of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa prize.
    — Leah Quinn, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of final
Noun
  • In a departure from the typical tux, George sported a navy suit, adding a bow tie and a crisp white button-down, along with some black leather derby shoes.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mexico head coach Rafael Márquez had made a point on Friday that his players would be ready for the international derby.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 4 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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