1
2
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stave off
The performance helped the No. 6 seed Illini pull away from No. 11 seed Xavier — and stave off a comeback — to advance to play No. 3 seed Kentucky.
—
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
For now, amyloid clearly is implicated somehow and families with Alzheimer's-causing genes are helping answer a critical question for anyone at risk: Can blocking amyloid buildup really stave off symptoms?
—arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
If boundaries are the weak point, anticipate ways to stave off interruptions – for example, hanging a Do Not Disturb sign on your cubicle.
—Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Even the outdoor waiting area, with a proper roof that actually staves off the hot sun, has uninterrupted ocean views, as do the sauna, steam room, and cold and hot plunge pools.
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
For now, amyloid clearly is implicated somehow and families with Alzheimer's-causing genes are helping answer a critical question for anyone at risk: Can blocking amyloid buildup really stave off symptoms?
—arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
If boundaries are the weak point, anticipate ways to stave off interruptions – for example, hanging a Do Not Disturb sign on your cubicle.
—Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Even the outdoor waiting area, with a proper roof that actually staves off the hot sun, has uninterrupted ocean views, as do the sauna, steam room, and cold and hot plunge pools.
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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Wool Rugs Wool rugs maintain their shape and texture more easily than any synthetic blend due to their durable fiber quality, which also naturally repels dirt and dust.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2025
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Humans aren’t the only ones repelled by penguin poo, however.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Public-private partnerships can bolster this effort by funding and implementing robust digital infrastructure, preventing advances in AI and computing from becoming the exclusive privilege of wealthier communities.—
Cathy Hackl,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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These include: Prescription medication: Your healthcare provider may prescribe eye drops that help your eyes produce more tears or prevent evaporation.—
Sarah Bence,
Health,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This was done by using the slender bridges to form triangles, a rigid shape found in engineering and architecture to resist bending and warping.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Despite causing great pain, Black couldn't resist naming the spine stuck in her foot BARBara.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The periods between these evolutionary steps present opportunities to slow this process and possibly avert a global disaster.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2025
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Yet the decree was soon averted in the most Trumpian of ways: with a deal.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Pic suffered a tough break when, shortly into the premiere showing at Roy Thomson Hall when the propulsive narrative was just taking off, the film had to be halted and the lights turned back on because of a medical emergency suffered by a ticketholder.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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Palestinians have appeared ready for peace in the past, only to turn back to rejection and terrorism.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Here’s what to know before heading off to the game.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Later, after crossing the Southwest runway, the plane was directed to head off to a section of the airport and call the control tower.—
Sarah Freishtat,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sticking to outdated practices can turn away both potential customers and employees who expect more.—
Daniel Kushner,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The production turns away from both queerness and masculinity, as evidenced in the casting of Snook.—
Christian Lewis,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Even as the Russians massed forces and achieved a three-to-one advantage in troops in Kursk late last year, the Ukrainians held on—deploying mines, drones and artillery to repeatedly repulse Russian mechanized assaults.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Kay’s particular diet was a recurring talking point on the show, with condiments such as ketchup and mayo among the foods that repulsed the TV voice of the Yankees.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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