stave off
verb
staved off; staving off; staves off
1
: to fend off
staving off creditors
2
: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall
trying to stave off disaster
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
To stave off these injuries, IndyStar dug around and spoke with an expert at Purdue Extension about what Hoosiers can do to keep their plants safe and healthy.
—
Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
In Yolo County, Baker is looking at the shutdown and the looming threat to CalFresh, the state program critical to helping low-income Californians stave off food insecurity, with a mix of anxiety and anger.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
And though Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has struggled, interim head coach Mike McCoy, a former offensive coordinator, might have a few tricks plays up his sleeve to stave off a potential blowout.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
The pressure to keep costs under control became more urgent during the pandemic when Macy’s was fighting to stave off bankruptcy.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
In Yolo County, Baker is looking at the shutdown and the looming threat to CalFresh, the state program critical to helping low-income Californians stave off food insecurity, with a mix of anxiety and anger.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
And though Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has struggled, interim head coach Mike McCoy, a former offensive coordinator, might have a few tricks plays up his sleeve to stave off a potential blowout.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
The pressure to keep costs under control became more urgent during the pandemic when Macy’s was fighting to stave off bankruptcy.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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