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
Synonyms
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
In a back-and-forth game, the Warriors staved off a strong effort from the Oklahoma City Thunder, beating the winless Western Conference squad 90-83 to advance to the NBA Summer League semifinals.
—
Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
Bieber happens to agree and uses the ointment to stave off crusty, dry lips.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 July 2024
Treatment currently relies on immunosuppressants to reduce inflammation and pain, however, the drugs often don't effectively treat the disease and their side effects hinder the body’s ability to stave off infections, researchers said.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
Southwest’s move on Wednesday comes several weeks after Elliott’s bid, with the poison pill plan seeking to stave off the activist firm.
—Byleo Schwartz, Fortune, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 19 July 2024
Bieber happens to agree and uses the ointment to stave off crusty, dry lips.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 July 2024
Treatment currently relies on immunosuppressants to reduce inflammation and pain, however, the drugs often don't effectively treat the disease and their side effects hinder the body’s ability to stave off infections, researchers said.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
Southwest’s move on Wednesday comes several weeks after Elliott’s bid, with the poison pill plan seeking to stave off the activist firm.
—Byleo Schwartz, Fortune, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stave off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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