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
South Korea is looking to stave off new tariffs from the United States by swiftly passing a bill guaranteeing a $350 billion investment in American industry.
—
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
But the penalty kill, led by goalie Matt Wright (12 saves), staved off the first to get back to one-man down, and Ryan scooped a loose puck from the neutral zone for a drive to the net.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Five years later, all the remaining wild condors were captured and bred in captivity to try to stave off extinction.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Over the years, Darron Edwards’ south Kansas City congregation has made sure students have clean clothes and school supplies, distributed food to stave off hunger among those in need and provided mental health resources to churchgoers.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
But the penalty kill, led by goalie Matt Wright (12 saves), staved off the first to get back to one-man down, and Ryan scooped a loose puck from the neutral zone for a drive to the net.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
Five years later, all the remaining wild condors were captured and bred in captivity to try to stave off extinction.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Over the years, Darron Edwards’ south Kansas City congregation has made sure students have clean clothes and school supplies, distributed food to stave off hunger among those in need and provided mental health resources to churchgoers.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
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 13 Mar. 2026.
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