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as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stave off
Sowa recommends filling up on protein first to get enough nutrition, prioritizing hydration and electrolytes such as salt to stave off nausea, and finding gut-friendly sources of fiber to improve digestion.
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Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The renewable energy transition – intended to stave off the worst of global climate change – is causing a precipitous rise in the demand for lithium, copper, nickel and the other metallic ingredients of solar panels, wind turbines and batteries.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
The Triton Neo 16 has just enough ports to stave off the need for a dock.
—PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
Many of the best water bottles aren’t dishwasher safe, so having a cleaning tool that can really get up in there is the best way to stave off the water bottle nasties.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The renewable energy transition – intended to stave off the worst of global climate change – is causing a precipitous rise in the demand for lithium, copper, nickel and the other metallic ingredients of solar panels, wind turbines and batteries.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
The Triton Neo 16 has just enough ports to stave off the need for a dock.
—PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024
Many of the best water bottles aren’t dishwasher safe, so having a cleaning tool that can really get up in there is the best way to stave off the water bottle nasties.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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The ski patrollers entered each gondola from above, lowered people’s equipment to the ground and then instructed them on how to repel down using a rope with a seat attached.Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 Dec. 2024
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Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers.Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Those of you who wish to retain your data must act promptly to prevent permanent loss.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 25 Dec. 2024
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Some communities even use them to prevent beach erosion or create wildlife habitats.Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Amazon has consistently resisted unionization efforts, arguing that many of the workers involved—particularly delivery drivers—are not its employees but rather work for third-party Delivery Service Partners.Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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For example, ghostwood and manzanita branches resist decay better than grapewood.Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Trump and Vance's last-minute intervention forces Johnson to balance appeasing the president-elect and his allies while renegotiating the bipartisan spending plan and averting a shutdown within days.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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As such, and with plenty of time left before the threat becomes a reality, there’s every chance that the worst-case scenario can be averted.Nimrod Lehavi, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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It's been exciting to watch IU's Cinderella season, but even Cinderella's coach turned back into a pumpkin.Justin L. Mack, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
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On Wednesday, as police announced that the school had been turned back over to Abundant Life, the victims in the shooting were identified by authorities as well.John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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One key reform would involve giving Pentagon contracting officers adequate information on the historical costs of key components to head off price gouging of the kind that has led the department to pay markups as high as 3,800 per cent.William Hartung, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
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Roger and Buck head off in that direction, shouting for Jeremiah to come out.Lincee Ray, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Bogus customers can be turned away while new ones can get on with trading without unnecessary checks being put in their way.David Prosser, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Finally the 23-year-old turns away from the wall and begins to cry.Claire Harbage, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Dexter is repulsed by the whole scene, and really who can blame him?Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
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Next to this official discourse, several Russian security experts have even promoted the idea of launching a preemptive strike to repulse a knockout of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near stave off
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
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