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
Sure, an interest rate reduction loomed in September, but would the Federal Reserve be cutting to stave off an imminent recession?
—
Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024
Getting up often and exercising more vigorously can stave off the ill effects
By Lydia Denworth
There is a golden rule for writers who hope to get any writing done: keep your butt in the chair.
—Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
Our experts also recommend rinsing and washing the outside of your pumpkins with 1-2% bleach solution and water to help stave off rot.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2024
In a spa-like atmosphere, people like Samantha can stave off their fear of irrelevance by undergoing an outpatient procedure where their DNA is fused with the DNA of a lobster, or something, resulting in a younger, stronger, taller version of themselves with clear skin and bright eyes.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024
Getting up often and exercising more vigorously can stave off the ill effects
By Lydia Denworth
There is a golden rule for writers who hope to get any writing done: keep your butt in the chair.
—Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
Our experts also recommend rinsing and washing the outside of your pumpkins with 1-2% bleach solution and water to help stave off rot.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2024
In a spa-like atmosphere, people like Samantha can stave off their fear of irrelevance by undergoing an outpatient procedure where their DNA is fused with the DNA of a lobster, or something, resulting in a younger, stronger, taller version of themselves with clear skin and bright eyes.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 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.
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 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share