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
An urgent phase-out of fossil fuels, which release planet-heating pollution, is vital to stave off the worst of the climate crisis.
—
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
But that messaging didn't stave off double-digit Democratic gains in what was a high-turnout election.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 6 Dec. 2025
Faster and more effective sustainability strategies remain crucial to staving off the worst effects of the climate crisis and its effect on health.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025
That political math, combined with Democrats' November wins in places like Virginia and Georgia, has caused a rift among Republicans who think the party has to act fast to stave off harsh losses come 2026.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
But that messaging didn't stave off double-digit Democratic gains in what was a high-turnout election.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 6 Dec. 2025
Faster and more effective sustainability strategies remain crucial to staving off the worst effects of the climate crisis and its effect on health.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2025
That political math, combined with Democrats' November wins in places like Virginia and Georgia, has caused a rift among Republicans who think the party has to act fast to stave off harsh losses come 2026.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Dec. 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 7 Dec. 2025.
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