ward off
verb
warded off; warding off; wards off
: to avoid being hit by (something)
ward off a blow
—often used figurativelyI tried different remedies to ward off a cold.
Examples of ward off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Publicly released exploit code for an effectively unpatched vulnerability that gives root access to virtually all releases of Linux is setting off alarm bells as defenders scramble to ward off severe compromises inside data centers and on personal devices.
—
Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Rather than smooth sailing toward a contest with Healey, Diehl had to spend time and money warding off Doughty and deal with the split in the party that the Doughty candidacy caused.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Prized as a insect pest repellent, they are planted in vegetable gardens to ward off aphids, caterpillars, squash bugs and cucumber beetles.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
My method of warding off potential pickpockets involved simply clinging my crossbody purse as close to my chest as possible.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward off
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Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Rather than smooth sailing toward a contest with Healey, Diehl had to spend time and money warding off Doughty and deal with the split in the party that the Doughty candidacy caused.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Prized as a insect pest repellent, they are planted in vegetable gardens to ward off aphids, caterpillars, squash bugs and cucumber beetles.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
My method of warding off potential pickpockets involved simply clinging my crossbody purse as close to my chest as possible.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward off
Cite this Entry
“Ward off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ward%20off. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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