triple-team
verb
tri·ple-team
ˈtri-pəl-ˌtēm 
triple-teamed; triple-teaming; triple-teams
: to block or guard (an opponent) with three players at one time
triple-team
noun
Examples of triple-team in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Highlanders’ 6-2 senior point guard averaged 25 points, five rebounds and four assists a game while being frequently double- and triple-teamed.
—
Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The Wizards double- and triple-teamed him up the floor.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Then many decided Adebayo’s feat was something else due to the final, few minutes when the Miami Heat fouled to stop the clock and the Washington Wizards triple-teamed him.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Not only did nearly half of his points come from the free-throw line (a league-record 36), but there was an extreme effort to force-feed him through double- and triple-teams late when the game was well in hand.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Willis wasn’t complaining about getting double and sometimes triple-teamed inside.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Kelce caught four passes despite, as the docuseries mentioned, being triple-teamed at one point.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
The Vaqueros are triple-teaming Cunningham, giving the Longhorns time to find a good shot.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
The Sparks regularly double- and triple-teamed Collier in the paint, leaving open opportunities for others on kick-outs.
—Devon Henderson, Daily News, 10 July 2025
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.
Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026
The Wizards double- and triple-teamed him up the floor.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Then many decided Adebayo’s feat was something else due to the final, few minutes when the Miami Heat fouled to stop the clock and the Washington Wizards triple-teamed him.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Not only did nearly half of his points come from the free-throw line (a league-record 36), but there was an extreme effort to force-feed him through double- and triple-teams late when the game was well in hand.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Willis wasn’t complaining about getting double and sometimes triple-teamed inside.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Kelce caught four passes despite, as the docuseries mentioned, being triple-teamed at one point.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
The Vaqueros are triple-teaming Cunningham, giving the Longhorns time to find a good shot.
—Zoe Collins Rath, Austin American Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
The Sparks regularly double- and triple-teamed Collier in the paint, leaving open opportunities for others on kick-outs.
—Devon Henderson, Daily News, 10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Triple-team.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triple-team. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
