stave off
verb
staved off; staving off; staves off
1
: to fend off
staving off creditors
2
: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall
trying to stave off disaster
Synonyms
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
In Kentucky, farmers are planting colorful cover crops, abstaining from disturbing the soil through tillage and embracing other conservation practices to help stave off erosion and protect water quality — both in local waterways and a thousand miles downstream.
—
Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are continuously investigating whether certain diet types or foods can help stave off your risk.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Verywell Health, 25 June 2024
Three straight wins – during which time the Oilers have outscored the Panthers 18-5 – have staved off defeat and now, Game 7 offers a chance to write themselves into the record books.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 24 June 2024
Good, the incumbent, was first elected in 2020, and hoped to stave off the challenge from McGuire, a former NAVY Seal who has the backing of former President Donald Trump, but results from the Virginia Department of Elections show Good trailing McGuire by 330 votes.
—Shawna Mizelle, CBS News, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are continuously investigating whether certain diet types or foods can help stave off your risk.
—Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Verywell Health, 25 June 2024
Three straight wins – during which time the Oilers have outscored the Panthers 18-5 – have staved off defeat and now, Game 7 offers a chance to write themselves into the record books.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 24 June 2024
Good, the incumbent, was first elected in 2020, and hoped to stave off the challenge from McGuire, a former NAVY Seal who has the backing of former President Donald Trump, but results from the Virginia Department of Elections show Good trailing McGuire by 330 votes.
—Shawna Mizelle, CBS News, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stave off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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