1
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
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.
Recent Examples of stave off
The first time was in 2009, when papers across the country were slashing books coverage in an attempt to stave off budgetary apocalypse.
—
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Attia is one of the biggest names in the longevity space, a medical philosophy rooted in the idea that people can improve and extend their quality of life and stave off chronic disease through a combination of exercise, sleep and good nutrition and by tending to their emotional health.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
One small utility plans to charge residents more to stave off financial failure.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Lined gloves or fuzzy headbands will help stave off the cold and keep your hands, ears, and neck nice and toasty.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Attia is one of the biggest names in the longevity space, a medical philosophy rooted in the idea that people can improve and extend their quality of life and stave off chronic disease through a combination of exercise, sleep and good nutrition and by tending to their emotional health.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
One small utility plans to charge residents more to stave off financial failure.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Lined gloves or fuzzy headbands will help stave off the cold and keep your hands, ears, and neck nice and toasty.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
-
The driver used bear spray to repel the suspect and drove away to a safe location, the Sheriff’s Office said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This 2x4-foot area rug literally repels water, making liquid less likely to seep deeper into the material.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Understanding how these factors can cause colon cancer goes a long way in helping prevent it.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Some were concerned the federal government would take the land or prevent access.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those who are traveling with a partner will appreciate the double vanities—or resist the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.—
Diana Oates,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The urge to lie down for a soak, even in winter, is hard to resist.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … POLITICS ON THE BRINK — Senate races to avert third shutdown as DHS deal takes shape.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In Connecticut and across New England, where talk of electricity tends to turn on highest-in-the-nation rates, the potential cold weather energy emergency faced by customers elsewhere was averted, but that success comes with a warning.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The actions continue the administration’s efforts to turn back the clock on the transition to cleaner energy and reverse efforts to address climate change.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The protesters stopped at a Kroger and held signs to cars passing by, then turned back around down Bailey Boswell Road and headed back to Boswell High.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cochran left home for Charlotte in 2008 to study at Johnson & Wales, earning double degrees in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management before heading off to New York in search of great things.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Same with traffic heading off to the left of the turnpike to get to the plaza bathrooms and fast-food windows.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The individual, their face covered in a ski mask, appears to fiddle with the camera with a gloved hand before turning away to look for something to obscure the lens.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
My body turns away before my mind can catch up.—
Valeng Cha,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That effort quickly repulsed decent Americans.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
