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 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 Those placed ninth to 24th will square off across two-legged play-off ties to decide who joins those elite eight in the last 16. — Jack Bantock, New York Times, 27 Aug. 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
  • Add onto that uncertainty about the rest of this year’s campaign and whether the season-ending team championship in Michigan will happen and the picture only gets murkier.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In an effort to help elevate Thoroughbred racing among the everyday sports fan, Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association will launch a three-year-old championship series consisting of six races beginning in 2027.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of championship
Noun
  • Global Google searches for the Malvinas jumped 2,400% after Argentina’s semifinal against England, according to Google Trends, the largest increase in search interest since the platform began tracking data.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • England reached the semifinal with one of its most talented teams in decades and its own hero, Harry Kane.
    — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • Part of ‘The Invincibles’ Baresi was part of the Italy squad that won the 1982 World Cup and captained the team to the 1994 final, which ended in a narrow penalty shootout loss to Brazil, with Baresi among the players who failed to score.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • But knowing how these shows work, Aaron will probably go home and Bryan and Bi will make it to the final to continue their rivalry there.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
Definition of final
Noun
  • There were some wild scenes at the end of the Hell is Real derby.
    — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Kévin Denkey scored in the 9th minute to give Cincinnati (6-6-5) an early lead in the 22nd edition of the Hell is Real derby between the Ohio rivals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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