1
as in turning back
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preventing
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 staving off
Therefore, building mental endurance is essential to staving off decision fatigue and reducing the judgment errors that tend to surface when a leader's cognitive reserves run low.
—
Julian Hayes Ii,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
But in the group stage of the competition, Gollner says awarding a point for a tie acknowledges the effort inherent in staving off defeat.
—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Pavers or concrete designed to mimic natural stone slabs visually break up the surface, staving off parking lot connotations.
—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
21 May 2026
His last adventure involved him staving off a multiversal crisis by making everyone in the world forget him, including his best friends MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon).
—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Now that the euphoria of David Pastrnak’s overtime game-winner has now subsided, the Bruins get back to the business of staving off elimination at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres in Friday’s Game 6 at the Garden.
—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
The link between flossing and disease prevention On top of staving off periodontal disease, research shows that regular flossing is associated with reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.
—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
Kansas City voters overwhelmingly renewed the city’s 1% earnings tax on Tuesday, maintaining a critical funding source for city services and unmistakably staving off concerns that the city’s budget could be thrown into disarray.
—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Its duration favors the studios by staving off another renegotiation and potential work stoppage until 2030.
—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
Julian Hayes Ii,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
But in the group stage of the competition, Gollner says awarding a point for a tie acknowledges the effort inherent in staving off defeat.
—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
Pavers or concrete designed to mimic natural stone slabs visually break up the surface, staving off parking lot connotations.
—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
21 May 2026
His last adventure involved him staving off a multiversal crisis by making everyone in the world forget him, including his best friends MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon).
—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Now that the euphoria of David Pastrnak’s overtime game-winner has now subsided, the Bruins get back to the business of staving off elimination at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres in Friday’s Game 6 at the Garden.
—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
The link between flossing and disease prevention On top of staving off periodontal disease, research shows that regular flossing is associated with reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.
—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
Kansas City voters overwhelmingly renewed the city’s 1% earnings tax on Tuesday, maintaining a critical funding source for city services and unmistakably staving off concerns that the city’s budget could be thrown into disarray.
—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Its duration favors the studios by staving off another renegotiation and potential work stoppage until 2030.
—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staving off
Verb
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And when his name was very publicly mentioned in the trade talks that eventually sent Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was no turning back.
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Beyond markets, investors are also watching geopolitical risks, with attention turning back to the Middle East.
Verb
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The rabies vaccine, if administered immediately after exposure, is nearly 100% successful at preventing the disease, according to the World Health Organization.
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Mount Aukum Road was closed to southbound motorists at the community of Pleasant Valley, preventing travel into the fire zone.
Verb
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The photos, plain and anonymous, feature a woman in a white dress, her head cropped out of the photo and a girl in pink, heavily blurred, turning away from the camera to reveal a braid garnished with a delicate bow.
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Fracturing politics So far, Britain’s increasingly fractured political landscape has benefited Reform UK, as people have felt increasingly confident turning away from the country’s two major parties – Labour and the Conservatives.
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.
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The union representing roughly 2,000 hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium announced a tentative contract agreement Tuesday, averting a potential strike days before the venue hosts its first FIFA World Cup match.
Verb
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Earlier Friday, the Ukrainian military's General Staff reported repelling 24 Russian assaults near Kostyantynivka and other settlements.
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Fortunately, there are a few natural, non-toxic approaches to repelling and avoiding mosquitoes in your backyard.
Verb
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Local outfitters can provide the essentials—just pack your sunscreen and a cooler full of your favorite refreshments before heading off to one of these popular destinations.
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The book ends with Cantrell heading off toward Maine to restart his reclusive life.
Verb
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He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer.
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Preserving slave ownership, along with resisting political overreach from Mexico City, were principal reasons that the Mexican state of Texas fought to break free of Mexico.
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.
Cite this Entry
“Staving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staving%20off. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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