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
Some factors — that crime has hit historic lows as Tisch has headed the department and Mamdani’s relative lack of action in the police department — have staved off criticism from moderates.
—
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
The White Sox pitching staff — which essentially employed a bullpen day — was able to stave off the Dodgers’ bats the rest of the way.
—Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
The Davis Joint Unified School District estimated Village Farms would bring more than 1,000 students to Davis schools and could help stave off school closures.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
If the Spurs stave off elimination, Johnson presenting the trophy to the Knicks at home after a Game 6 win on Tuesday could surpass the bedlam from the comeback.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
The White Sox pitching staff — which essentially employed a bullpen day — was able to stave off the Dodgers’ bats the rest of the way.
—Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
The Davis Joint Unified School District estimated Village Farms would bring more than 1,000 students to Davis schools and could help stave off school closures.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
If the Spurs stave off elimination, Johnson presenting the trophy to the Knicks at home after a Game 6 win on Tuesday could surpass the bedlam from the comeback.
—ABC News, 12 June 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 19 Jun. 2026.
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