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Definitions

play off

[pley-awf, -of] / ˈpleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
VERB
counter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
counteract foil offset oppose resist respond retaliate ward off
STRONG
backtalk beat bilk buck circumvent contravene cross dash disappoint frustrate hinder match meet parry pit return ruin vie
WEAK
counterwork fly in the face of have bone to pick hit back take on thumbs-down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist help support
STRONG
agree allow divide encourage facilitate permit separate
VERB
thwart
Synonyms
STRONGEST
circumvent counter curb defeat foil frustrate hinder impede obstruct oppose prevent stop stymie
STRONG
baffle balk beat bilk check confuse cramp cross dash disappoint ditch dodge duck outwit pit restrain ruin trammel upset
WEAK
dead-end foul up give the slip hold up take down take the wind out of (one's) sails upset the apple cart
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abet aid allow assist encourage facilitate help support
STRONG
clear up free hasten let go multiply
WEAK
forward
VERB
vie
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contend strive
STRONG
buck challenge contest counter match oppose pit play push rival struggle sweat
WEAK
be rivals go for go for broke go for the gold go for the jugular jockey for position scramble for
Antonyms
STRONG
agree aid assist help support

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But for just the second time in 35 years, 11 of the 14 play-off teams gained at least 11 wins in the regular season.

From BBC

That has left the race for the AFC Championship wide open, and the path clear for new stars such as Denver's Bo Nix and New England's Drake Maye to be immortalised with play-off glory.

From BBC

Top seed Denver have only played one play-off game since 2016, and besides the Broncos and Patriots, Pittsburgh are the only other AFC play-off team to have reached the Super Bowl since 1995.

From BBC

There is more play-off pedigree in the NFC, with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams or San Francisco 49ers having reached seven of the past eight Super Bowls.

From BBC

And the Rams and 49ers feel as if they've already been playing play-off football for weeks, having battled it out with Seattle to win the NFL's toughest division, the NFC West.

From BBC

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.