sell-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈsel-ˌȯf How to pronounce sell-off (audio)
: a usually sudden sharp decline in security prices accompanied by increased volume of trading

sell off

2 of 2

verb

sold off; selling off; sells off

intransitive verb

: to suffer a drop in prices

Examples of sell-off 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.
Noun
So if the tech queasiness becomes a tech sell-off, the rest of the stock market will need to do the heavy lifting. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Citadel’s tactical trading strategy avoided that latest sell-off, the person familiar said. — Yun Li, CNBC, 2 July 2026
Verb
Oil drillers, too, have sold off their energy marketing and gas station networks. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 June 2026 For their part, Cavanagh and his Comcast colleagues moved quickly on Monday to throw cold water on the notion that this spinoff is about selling off bits and pieces of the company. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sell-off

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1976, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sell-off was in 1976

Rhymes for sell-off

See All Rhymes for sell-off

Browse Nearby Words

selling race
sell-off
sell off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sell-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-off. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sell-off

Nglish: Translation of sell-off for Spanish Speakers

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