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
Despite a potentially valid thesis, the fund lost 67% due to concentrated, leveraged bets and margin calls during an AI stock sell-off. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Hedge fund deleveraging, profit-taking and a massive momentum unwind drove the sell-off last month. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
The fight over the plan to sell off parts of the World Cup and other signature FIFA events to private businesses has tested that bulletproof presidency. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 When, in the wake of one of these life-altering events, everything must go, an estate sale is a way to sell off a large amount of furniture, decor, and art all at once. — Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sell-off

Nglish: Translation of sell-off for Spanish Speakers

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