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
To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.
—Ali Swenson, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program, and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, that progress wasn’t enough to stave off a takeover.
—Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.
—Ali Swenson, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Republicans said that would stave off abuse of the Medicaid program, and added a $50 billion investment in rural health to offset losses.
—Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Still, that progress wasn’t enough to stave off a takeover.
—Silas Allen, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 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 12 Feb. 2026.
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