square off

verb

squared off; squaring off; squares off
Synonyms of square offnext

intransitive verb

1
: to take a fighting stance : prepare to fight
also : to fight or argue
squared off in a debate
2
: to compete in a contest
The two teams squared off for the championship.

transitive verb

: to make square : to give (something) straight edges, flat surfaces, or sharp, even corners

Examples of square 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.
Abrams grew up playing for Midwest Boom and got to square off against Taylor’s team in 7-on-7 this summer. — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Reconnect with your priorities while the Scorpio moon squares off with Jupiter. — Usa Today, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Let’s play ball After the opening ceremonies, athleticism took center stage as the Los Angeles Queens and the New York Heights squared off. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026 The Huntington Beach 115-pound champion puts it all on the line Saturday in her first title defense, squaring off against Gillian Robertson in the UFC 330 co-main event in Philadelphia. — Brian Martin, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for square off

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of square off was in 1838

Rhymes for square off

See All Rhymes for square off

Browse Nearby Words

square notation
square off
square of opposition
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Square off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/square%20off. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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