ward off
phrasal verb
warded off; warding off; wards off
: to avoid being hit by (something)
ward off a blow
—often used figurativelyI tried different remedies to ward off a cold.
Examples of ward off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It’s infused with macadamia and hibiscus oils to ward off UV ray damage and Vitamin E to protect the skin from environmental stressors.
—
Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024
One way to ward off that threat is to surprise people.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to dealing with skin conditions caused by diabetes in order to ward off serious consequences and complications.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
Riyadh seeks greater security cooperation with the United States to ward off similar aggression in the future — an arrangement that the U.S. has indicated would likely be made only if Riyadh also formally recognized and worked with Israel.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Baldwin's second reelection ad highlights push to shore up pensions
Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin's second ad of her reelection bid highlights her efforts to ward off significant cuts to the pensions of more than 22,000 Wisconsin workers and retirees.
—Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
Experts also believe warding off the mutation threat will require targeting multiple sites on the virus.
—Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024
Some take time to meditate and reflect on the universe, while others engage in rituals to ward off negative energies.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
That’s why the city’s Democratic mayor, 43-year-old Leonardo Williams, was already brainstorming ways to ward off another financial blow.
—Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024
One way to ward off that threat is to surprise people.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to dealing with skin conditions caused by diabetes in order to ward off serious consequences and complications.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
Riyadh seeks greater security cooperation with the United States to ward off similar aggression in the future — an arrangement that the U.S. has indicated would likely be made only if Riyadh also formally recognized and worked with Israel.
—Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Baldwin's second reelection ad highlights push to shore up pensions
Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin's second ad of her reelection bid highlights her efforts to ward off significant cuts to the pensions of more than 22,000 Wisconsin workers and retirees.
—Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
Experts also believe warding off the mutation threat will require targeting multiple sites on the virus.
—Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2024
Some take time to meditate and reflect on the universe, while others engage in rituals to ward off negative energies.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
That’s why the city’s Democratic mayor, 43-year-old Leonardo Williams, was already brainstorming ways to ward off another financial blow.
—Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near ward off
Cite this Entry
“Ward off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ward%20off. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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