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

Synonyms

• beat off
• fend (off)
• rebut
• repel
• repulse
• turn away
• turn back

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 a rush to stave off the ban, TikTok and a group of creators quickly filed lawsuits against the Justice Department, arguing that the law, the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, violates their First Amendment rights. —Makena Kelly, WIRED, 17 Jan. 2025

While the club are fighting to stave off relegation, his contract should also be constructed to protect the club’s future. —Elias Burke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

The city is no longer actively budgeting this year’s payments against its deficit, but leaders are still aching to put the money to use — with new policy dictating that the revenue first be used to stave off the temporary closure of several fire stations. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025

Buffalo was looking to stave off any Denver comeback attempt. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stave off

verb

: to force or keep away : fend off

stave off trouble