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
  • The 26-year-old shooting guard spent two years with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, earning an NBA championship ring in 2025 before playing for the Austin Spurs last season.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • The lawsuit was officially launched in July after Hernandez won two state finals in triple jump and high jump, and won second place in long jump, at last year's championships.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of championship
Noun
  • Their itinerary includes eight matches in New Jersey, plus a quarterfinal in Miami and a semifinal in Atlanta.
    — Meline Rosales Mike Winters, CNBC, 5 July 2026
  • Sciver-Brunt and former skipper Heather Knight rescued England from 23-3 with a 133-run partnership — the highest ever in a World Cup knockout match — to set South Africa a forbidding 170 target in The Oval semifinal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • Both men are avid soccer fans, and Starmer cheered on England in person at the Euro 2024 final shortly after taking office — a responsibility that could fall to his successor if England makes it to the World Cup final this year.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Watch the penalty shootout between Manchester United and Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2008.
    — Ashish Malhotra, NPR, 3 July 2026
Definition of final
Noun
  • Mexico vs England should be compelling on so many levels, but the Iberian derby could be a classic.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • However, black leather derby shoes and an oversized flab bag hit the on-trend accessories notes, creating a fresh feel.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 3 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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