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
Lowers Oxidative Stress Similarly, olive oil can help stave off disease by fighting oxidative stress.
—
Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
As California schools face worsening economic conditions, many districts are bolstering their reserves to stave off deficits.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Supreme Court agreed to hear Cisco’s bid to stave off a long-running lawsuit alleging the tech giant aided the Chinese government’s persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2026
Studies have indicated that anywhere between 15% to 60% of the weight people lose is lean muscle mass, meaning that those who are using the drugs are advised to engage in a weekly exercise routine that includes strength training to stave off too much muscle loss.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
As California schools face worsening economic conditions, many districts are bolstering their reserves to stave off deficits.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
The Supreme Court agreed to hear Cisco’s bid to stave off a long-running lawsuit alleging the tech giant aided the Chinese government’s persecution of the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2026
Studies have indicated that anywhere between 15% to 60% of the weight people lose is lean muscle mass, meaning that those who are using the drugs are advised to engage in a weekly exercise routine that includes strength training to stave off too much muscle loss.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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