STAVE OFF Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

stave off

verb

Definition of stave off

as in to repel

to drive back managed to stave off the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to prevent

to keep from happening by taking action in advance the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stave off Paige Bueckers had 21 points and six rebounds for Dallas, which won seven of eight to end the season to earn the seventh seed and will now try to stave off elimination at home. — CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 While certainly not a cure-all, taking supplements could even help to stave off seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at this time of year. — Violet Hayward, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026 To help stave off conflict, the study’s authors said, parents should be proactive about tough conversations and should consider an independent or professional fiduciary. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Healthy digestion and a healthy gut play a role in staving off inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stave off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off

Verb

During wetter years, trees are healthier and can more easily repel the beetle with sap.

— Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
The wax repels liquid water but keeps tiny pores, so vapor can still escape.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of repel

Verb

Anthropic contacted the task force to disclose the latest incident and has a history of reporting security episodes publicly and tweaking models to prevent more harm.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
There are scores of websites, social-media groups, and YouTube channels dedicated to analyzing and documenting crashes, ostensibly with the goal of preventing future mishaps in flight.

— Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Gibson was convicted of unlawful gun possession and misdemeanor resisting arrest for not exiting the elevator, but the jury acquitted him of felony resisting arrest.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

Jackson averted a suspension ahead of this season when authorities declined to file formal criminal charges after he was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
In Spaceship Earth, when a mission to avert an imminent global cataclysm goes awry, a small band of teenagers from Earth’s past and future must join forces to confront a threat as vast and mysterious as time itself.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of avert

Verb

Forty percent of the broad market index is made up of tech stocks, which have surged recently as investors — wary of higher interest rates — turn back to those companies most able to weather any sudden downturn.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Tide turns back to franchises Then the tide started turning back toward familiar waters.

— Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn back

Verb

At one point, the owner can be seen pointing in a different direction, then heads off to help another customer.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026
The video shows a Jeep Grand Cherokee repeatedly backing up into the front door of the restaurant before its driver eventually heads off.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of head off

Verb

Online video shows Prescott looking back at the man — who was there as a transportation service driver — while still walking, then turning away.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Time will tell whether Gen Z keeps turning away from higher education, but the truth is that the traditionally-aged students who do enroll are also arriving with a wider range of needs than ever before.

— Ruth Bauer, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn away

Browse Nearby Words

staved off

stave off

staves off

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stave off

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

syncretic

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes