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
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Noun
The sell-off in the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) has been arguably one of the most severe in the software sector’s history outside of major recessions or crashes like 2008 and 2022. Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026 Little was done, for example, to a roster that underperformed in the first half of the season and limped to the finish line after a trade deadline sell-off. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
While tech sold off sharply, the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched fresh record highs Friday, with its limited tech exposure proving to be a key advantage. Benzinga, Freep.com, 7 Feb. 2026 Chris Kreider, winger, B+ Jacob Trouba, defenseman, B+ Both players were jettisoned by the New York Rangers, who sunk in the standings and have continued selling off after pretending as though their leadership group was the issue. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Sell-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-off. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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