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2
as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stave off
The Pistons finished 11 of 33 from long range, which wasn’t enough to stave off defeat in a decisive Game 5 loss.
—
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Made with Asics’ special ‘Puregel’ technology, the shoe has a cushy feel and shock absorption that staves off foot pain.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
The goal staved off the momentum from American Heritage (20-2), which scored three consecutive goals in the fourth period to tie the game.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Reducing reliance on the Colorado River will stave off worse situations, said board member Mark Gold, but there's still a risk.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Made with Asics’ special ‘Puregel’ technology, the shoe has a cushy feel and shock absorption that staves off foot pain.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
The goal staved off the momentum from American Heritage (20-2), which scored three consecutive goals in the fourth period to tie the game.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Reducing reliance on the Colorado River will stave off worse situations, said board member Mark Gold, but there's still a risk.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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At the store, it can be found in powders, aerosol solutions, sprays and treated clothing, which is especially effective in repelling and killing insects and ticks.—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
Treat clothing and other gear with products that contain permethrin to repel ticks.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Honest behavior has to do with telling the truth, but also prevents cheating, stealing, misleading, promise-breaking, fraud, self-deception, hypocrisy, BS-ing.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
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Israel is razing and looting homes and has vowed to prevent hundreds of thousands of residents, predominantly Shiites, though also members of other religious communities, from returning.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
Verb
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But the California high school athletics governing body has resisted, sparking outrage from anti-trans groups.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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These allow companies to resist speculative takeover and embed mission and values for the benefit of employees, customers, and/or the broader community.—
Alex Amouyel,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
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Good Omens is the story of an angel, Aziraphale (Sheen), and a demon, Crowley (Tennant), who gradually become friends over the millennia and team up to avert Armageddon.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Since the 2023 rule changes meant to speed up the game on the mound, baseball has unmistakably turned back the clock on the bases.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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In 1961, Castro helped turn back the Bay of Pigs invasion supported by the Kennedy Administration, often executing the wishes of his brother.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
Verb
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An earlier bid by Burnham to contest a by-election back in January was blocked by Starmer loyalists in an attempt to head off a challenge.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
LoBue, whose older sister Rosellina was brutally stabbed to death in 1987 by Erik Chatman, fiercely objected to the resentencing, and last month, Chatman was further resentenced to a 25-year prison term and immediate parole eligibility, to head off a prospective retrial.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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While the Royals were turned away a second time, the Red Sox capitalized in the top of the sixth.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
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Abadani hopes Cambridge Housing Authority can turn away from the old heating and cooling system altogether.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Firstman’s debut directorial effort, Club Kid, shrewdly acknowledges those garish personality tics, which have both endeared and repulsed audiences.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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Anyone who has worked in or observed the media industry for the last couple of decades will recognize and be repulsed by nepo-baby Jay, who is undeniably villainous.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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