How to Use ward off in a Sentence

ward off

verb
  • There are ways to ward off mildew and keep your rug soft for bare feet.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The copper in the coin will ward off fungus, prevent root rot, and help plants thrive.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
  • There are also companion plants for roses that help ward off pests like aphids.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • There are also companion plants for roses that help ward off pests like aphids.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Rosemary is thought to ward off carrot flies, a common pest of carrots.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Speak bravely, and put agreements in writing to ward off conflict.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2026
  • To counteract the misfortune, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
    — Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Getting a certain amount of sleep could help ward off diabetes, a new study suggests.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The high ceiling and pendant fan keep it cool in the summer, and the fireplace wards off the chill of winter evenings.
    — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
  • Fruit pies can be stored on the countertop for up to two days, thanks to sugar and acids that ward off bacteria growth.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 June 2026
  • However, as the smell fades over time, so will its effectiveness in warding off mice.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 30 Apr. 2026
  • To ward off further damage, one major key is to prevent color fading.
    — Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The fragrant foliage complements the perfume of roses and helps ward off aphids.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • The fragrant foliage complements the perfume of roses and helps ward off aphids.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Try planting carrots with sage to ward off carrot rust flies or with radishes, which have similar growing needs.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Alliums are commonly planted with roses to ward off aphids.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Alliums are commonly planted with roses to ward off aphids.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • That's largely because of its acetic acid, which is powerful enough to destroy weeds and ward off some common pests and problems.
    — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2026
  • This enables plants a better chance of warding off pests, disease, and climatic stressors.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Some plants attract beneficial insects, others ward off pests, while some enhance soil health.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
  • Tehran has also reportedly begun placing mines in the area to ward off ships attempting to pass through.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Harvest the right pasta in August and store it in a cool dry place, and keep a bottle of chianti handy to ward off any diseases.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Snow Petrels spit out the oil in front of their nests, primarily to ward off predators with its smell and stickiness.
    — Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
  • Each chair was also adorned with a handmade fan to ward off the late afternoon heat, according to Italian media.
    — CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • Sharp objects like scissors and needles or amulets should be carried by pregnant women or placed near sleeping children to ward off her attacks.
    — Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
  • This classic French manicure gets a cheeky upgrade with two tiny evil eyes—because warding off bad vibes (and haters) is always in style.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 12 June 2026
  • To ward off the disease or lessen symptoms, Gentile also suggested a range of therapies.
    — Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • While not required as often during dry periods, this can be an effective way to ward off leaf spot caused by fungal infections.
    — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 16 June 2026
  • Rainbow-stemmed Swiss Chard adds a pop of color and dose of magnesium to ward off miserable migraines.
    — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
  • If needed, these personal alarms can be used to ward off threats, including people or animals, and serve to alert nearby rescue teams.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ward off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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