staving off

verb

Definition of staving offnext
present participle of stave off
1
as in turning back
to drive back managed to stave off the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preventing
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for staving off
  1. preventing
  2. averting
  3. repelling
  4. resisting
Verb
  • Here’s what the panel found—plus what doctors who treat aging patients actually suggest for preventing falls and fractures.
    Korin Miller, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
  • This causes turtles to float in an awkward position with their rear ends elevated—making swimming considerably difficult and preventing the animal from diving far beneath the surface.
    Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of preventing
Verb
  • The Senate voted to pass the measure just after midnight, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk and averting a government shutdown.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Congress passed a separate stopgap funding bill over the weekend, averting a government shutdown.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Dec. 2024
Definition of averting
Verb
  • This storage bag did a great job repelling dirt and water, but the fabric around the zipper does absorb a small amount of moisture.
    Camryn Rabideau, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Erin Smith, whose husband Jeff Smith suffered a traumatic brain injury and a fracture while repelling the rioters, said Dana Bell, 66, contributed to her husband's attack.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 17 Oct. 2024
Definition of repelling
Verb
  • Surely even the most recalcitrant of Emmy voters will have a hard time resisting a performance this impeccably showy.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Rather than resisting regulation, many leaders are actively welcoming it as a way to reduce uncertainty and foster safer AI adoption.
    Mrinal Manohar, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of resisting
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near staving off

staves off

staving off

stay

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Cite this Entry

“Staving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staving%20off. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on staving off

Nglish: Translation of staving off for Spanish Speakers

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