stave off

verb

staved off; staving off; staves off
Synonyms of stave offnext

transitive verb

1
: to fend off
staving off creditors
2
: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall
trying to stave off disaster

Synonyms of stave off

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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
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.
During his tenure Thomas also successfully staved off a hostile takeover. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026 The Premier League side staved off interest from within the division to win the race to sign the 24-year-old. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 2 July 2026 To stave off lawsuits under the Endangered Species Act, the districts agreed to leave more water in the river over time. — Emily Cureton Cook, ProPublica, 26 June 2026 The thick debris mantle shades the ice, keeping it colder, similar to how ski areas have started covering their slopes with reflective blankets in summer to stave off melting. — Ashlesha Khatiwada, The Conversation, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stave off

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stave off was in 1611

Rhymes for stave off

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Browse Nearby Words

stave oak
stave off
stave pipe
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Cite this Entry

“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stave off

verb
: to force or keep away : fend off
stave off trouble

More from Merriam-Webster on stave off

Nglish: Translation of stave off for Spanish Speakers

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