stave off

verb

staved off; staving off; staves off

transitive verb

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
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.
The price cap was rolled out to equal parts skepticism and hopefulness that the policy would stave off Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2025 The star, which orbits within the Milky Way some 600 light-years from Earth, has long since used up its hydrogen fuel and has transitioned to fusing heavier elements in a bid to stave off its gravitational collapse. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2025 According to reports, Flohr managed to stave off a seizure by paying $16 million for the property. Mark David, Robb Report, 31 July 2025 Many kids receive a peanut paste to help stave off starvation. Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stave off

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stave off was in 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

stave off

verb
: to force or keep away : fend off
stave off trouble

More from Merriam-Webster on stave off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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