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
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.
Revenue growth could stave off cuts and fund new projects. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024 To boost its cash reserves and stave off a credit rating downgrade, Boeing conducted a stock offering last month to raise $21.1 billion. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 That’s assuming the unbeaten Hoosiers can stave off Michigan next week at home, a safe bet after the Wolverines’ latest subpar performance in a 38-17 home loss to No. 1 Oregon. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024 Some climate advocates, who hope the world transitions quickly to battery electric vehicles to stave off the worst of climate change, say EREVs could be part of a cleaner transportation system, even if the design still uses gasoline. Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 3 Nov. 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 30 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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