Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

trade-off

[trayd-awf, -of] / ˈtreɪdˌɔf, -ˌɒf /












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.

See Examples For:

Scientists at Lund University have discovered that these competing demands come with a surprising trade-off.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

"If the consumer sees the trade-off as beneficial, then they'll keep it going," he says.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The picturesque Kenyan island of Lamu, a favourite of celebrities, faces a tough trade-off after becoming the construction site for Africa's latest mega-refinery.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

“But the trade-off is that you can lose more when rates are rising, and make less when rates are falling.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

This painful trade-off is why ecologists argue that any attempt by tropical forest societies to grow beyond small villages has always been doomed to fail.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Reza Baqir of Alvarez & Marsal's Sovereign Advisory Services said he has experience with the difficult trade-offs policymakers in low-income countries face in such crises.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

It isn't the first government to try this, but existing algorithm controls are often transient and come with trade-offs in app functionality.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

"Our messages indeed apply to most countries, but again, the trade-offs and the choices that have to be made are much more difficult for the most vulnerable countries," Koeva Brooks said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

“Brady” gives the reader the best insight yet into the immense trade-offs its subject made to become the greatest of all time in a hypercompetitive profession.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

You hear all the time about the trade-offs of being a working mother.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama


Vocabulary lists containing trade-off

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com