square off

verb

squared off; squaring off; squares off

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.
All hell is unleashed as the aliens representing all kinds of shapes and class divisions from that planet square off with the locals. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 May 2026 Odum was talking about the down time between games, as Evans had to sit and watch Tampa Jesuit and CCC square off in the other jamboree game. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2026 The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers will square off for Game 7 of their playoff series on Sunday night with a trip to the Eastern Conference finals on the line. CBS News, 17 May 2026 The show’s final episode, which aired Friday evening on ABC, featured Kimes squaring off against actor-comedians Ike Barinholtz and Steven Weber. Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 May 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

Cite this Entry

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

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