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
The bond market sell-off is more worrisome than the one in stocks. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 After Trump announced a 90-day pause on some reciprocal tariffs, the S&P 500 posted its third-largest one-day gain since World War II, while the Nasdaq had its second-best session ever following a steep multi-trillion dollar sell-off. Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
With the trade war between the U.S. and China intensifying, stocks and bonds sold off aggressively again in morning trade. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025 But, curiously, US Treasury yields have risen in recent days as investors have largely sold off bonds. John Towfighi, David Goldman and Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sell-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sell-off. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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