Synonyms

tiebreaker

American

[tahy-brey-ker] / ˈtaɪˌbreɪ kər /

Often tiebreak

noun

a system for breaking a tie score at the end of regulation play by establishing a winner through special additional play, usually of a fairly short duration, as in tennis and soccer.

Etymology

Origin of tiebreaker

First recorded in 1960–65; tie + breaker ¹

Vocabulary lists containing tiebreaker

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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.

Because the Lakers won the tiebreaker over the Nuggets, they would get the higher seed over Denver if the two teams finish with identical records.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

This can be hard to figure out in 50/50 custody arrangements, and so some families revert to the parent who provides the most financial support as a tiebreaker.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The Broncos have the tiebreaker edge on the Patriots so just need to win, but should Denver stumble, New England can bag top spot with a win over Miami.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

The quintet was so hopelessly tangled that it took the fifth tiebreaker, the combined win-percentage of conference opponents, to determine who would meet the Cavaliers in Charlotte.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

Since only two teams could go to the playoffs, the district’s tiebreaker rule went into effect: a coin toss.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023