stave off

verb

staved off; staving off; staves off

transitive verb

1
: to fend off
staving off creditors
2
: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall
trying to stave off disaster

Examples of stave off in a Sentence

managed to stave off the invaders the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The Yankees mauled and mashed and manhandled the Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, staving off a sweep with an 11-4 victory. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 Harris, meanwhile, has worked to stave off defections from the left over her support for arming Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Brian Bennett / Washington, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 But sometimes your best dinner-planning efforts can’t stave off those hunger pangs. Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Oct. 2024 Bridget Carleton made a pair of free throws with 2 seconds left and the Lynx were able to stave off elimination by beating New York 82-80 on Friday in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals in front of 19,210 boisterous fans at Target Center. Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stave off 

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stave off was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near stave off

Cite this Entry

“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

stave off

verb
: to force or keep away : fend off
stave off trouble

More from Merriam-Webster on stave off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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