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 Sullivan’s output has reignited Philadelphia, with 10 wins and two draws from their 12 post-World Cup matches propelling them from the bottom of the Eastern Conference into a play-off position with seven regular-season games to go. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 3 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 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
  • Though Ohtani’s arrival kicked off the Dodgers’ back-to-back championships, this isn’t his first time slumping in the postseason.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In just the last two years, the team won back-to-back championships and ranked among the league’s top three most expensive payrolls.
    — Isaac Tellechea, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of championship
Noun
  • Kotzmacher helped put White Bear Lake into that semifinal, hitting a seventh-inning, two-run home run in a 3–1 quarterfinal victory over Farmington.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In her latest clutch playoff performance, Williams scored eight of her 16 points in overtime of Friday’s 87-77 victory at Las Vegas to sweep the best-of-five semifinal.
    — Janie Mccauley, Hartford Courant, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of semifinal
Noun
  • Ward was hired ahead of the 2023 season and led the Longhorns to a regional final that year.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, that very evening marked the final of a seven-night run at the original Fillmore, and sharing the stage with the spirit of the band comes in multiple vessels.
    — Benjy Eisen, Rolling Stone, 12 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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