stave off

verb

Definition of stave offnext
1
as in to repel
to drive back managed to stave off the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 Nothing can be done to stave off this clash between conservativism and progressivism. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 While the crews work to ensure their ships remain seaworthy, and movies and ping-pong serve as distractions, staving off boredom and depression is a struggle. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 27 July 2026 Such has been the case since James made his debut in 2003, and his return to the Eastern Seaboard should go a long way toward helping the NBA stave off a seemingly inevitable ratings slide this fall. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 July 2026 The drug appeared to both preserve their upper-arm function and stave off the heart failure most patients eventually experience, Capricor had said. — Jason Mast, STAT, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
  1. repel
  2. prevent
  3. resist
  4. avert
  5. turn back
  6. head off
  7. turn away
  8. repulse
Verb
  • Ukrainian drone defenses, minefields, and artillery effectively repelled the attack, inflicting heavy losses including seven tanks and over 150 casualties.
    — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Plants that will help repel pests that are harmful to jalapeños include basil, garlic, chives, rosemary, marigolds, and onions.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 July 2026
Definition of repel
Verb
  • First is to prevent their further migration by enforcing an international treaty obliging national authorities to treat ballast waters inside incoming ships that may carry such species.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • Colin Gray’s trial also revealed the shooting was nearly prevented.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of prevent
Verb
  • Once there, give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness and resist checking your phone.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The barrel-leg silhouette gives them a sleeker shape, while the mid-weight fabric feels soft and resists wrinkles.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • The long-term care industry says not every clash can be averted.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
  • 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, 14 July 2026
Definition of avert
Verb
  • Paige turned back around to find Nikki Bella hitting her with a clothesline.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities used water cannons, tear gas and warning shots to try to turn back migrants.
    — Sergio Rodrigo Ruíz, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of turn back
Verb
  • The chances of these complications drop with good prenatal care and thorough screening and monitoring to head off issues early.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 July 2026
  • After sitting down to get her hair done, Martha had just enough time to grout her kitchen floors before heading off to New York City to begin her workday.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 July 2026
Definition of head off
Verb
  • Grassroots groups that help young people turn away from gun violence recently worked with Junior Cee Niko-Semos to build his résumé.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Mali then turned away from its traditional Western partners to Russia — first to the Wagner Group, a private organization that acted as Russia’s diplomatic proxy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of turn away
Verb
  • Philly may be shedding its second-fiddle status, but it remains entirely repulsed by frauds and underachievers.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of repulse

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staved off
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Cite this Entry

“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of stave off for Spanish Speakers

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