1
as in turning back
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
The research suggests that staving off loneliness requires putting away our devices and connecting with other people in person.
—CNN Money, 6 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
Maintaining ties with Tehran is crucial for containing domestic tensions and staving off an insurgency from the minority Baloch community there.
—Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The research suggests that staving off loneliness requires putting away our devices and connecting with other people in person.
—CNN Money, 6 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
Maintaining ties with Tehran is crucial for containing domestic tensions and staving off an insurgency from the minority Baloch community there.
—Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staving off
Verb
-
But French Fiction is turning back after running a one-and-one-sixteenth-mile race at the Ashland.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
Chubb said the majority of investors will keep turning back to what has been the driver of the bull run since late 2022.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors alleged that Sun’s actions included preventing representatives of the Taiwanese government from having access to the governor’s office.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Having a variety of plant foods in your diet supports gut microbe diversity, which in turn helps with immune function, nutrient absorption, brain health, mental health, and preventing chronic disease.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
If successful, more inmates will pursue a path of recovery and become productive citizens, turning away from a life of crime.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
1 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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The attempt went wide right, however, temporarily averting disaster.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Companion plant gardening is a natural and organic technique for repelling pests and growing healthier plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
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How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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As for what is next, Chilimigras is planning to take the universal bar exam in the summer before heading off to attend Northwestern University in Chicago to get an advanced tax law degree, according to WWLTV.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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Zoey Smith is a senior preparing to graduate from the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber before heading off to Howard University.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Saturday when the long-running contract negotiations broke down over the wage and cost-of-living increases that workers are demanding and the MTA has been resisting.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
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Eatherly’s previous arrest came after another incident on Saturday, when he was kicked out of a restaurant in Nashville and later arrested and charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to an affidavit.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staving%20off. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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