point-shaving

noun

point-shav·​ing ˈpoint-ˌshā-viŋ How to pronounce point-shaving (audio)
often attributive
: an attempt (as by a member of the team favored to win) to influence the final score of a game so that the predicted winner wins by less than the point spread

Examples of point-shaving 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.
The college point-shaving scandal prompts Long Island University to drop basketball and all other intercollegiate sports. Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of point-shaving was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near point-shaving

Cite this Entry

“Point-shaving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point-shaving. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!