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

Synonyms of stave off

• repel
• resist
• turn back
• fend (off)
• turn away
• repulse
• beat off

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

Borek credited Muszelik with perhaps an even tougher challenge of having to stave off sporadic waves, versus the consistent pressure Lundgren faced. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

The bridge fund has helped stave off that worst-case scenario — for now. —Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

The one-time All-Star also hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 13th inning against the Chicago Cubs in the ’16 NLDS, ensuring the Giants staved off elimination down 2-0. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

For many people in their 30s and 40s, early detection and the new medications could keep their kidneys healthy enough to stave off dialysis and kidney transplants. —Charles Schmidt, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stave off

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

Kids Definition

stave off

verb

: to force or keep away : fend off

stave off trouble