sell-off

1 of 2

noun

: 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
All the indicators were pointing toward a major sell-off, with Cease the headliner. Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025 In the markets, news of tariffs led to an early sell-off; the market rebounded on the news of the pause. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
Buck’s bankruptcy included selling off some of his more expensive assets, including jewelry, luxury cars, and his music catalog. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 Feb. 2025 The benchmark also sold off as much as 1.9% on Feb. 3 after Trump announced tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports before recovering to end the day down just 0.8% after news that those levies would be halted for 30 days. Pia Singh, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near sell-off

Cite this Entry

“Sell-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-off. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

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