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

When trouble struck, although sporadically, the countries’ central banks supported one another, helping to stave off broader financial panic. — Gordon Liao, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2026

The sequence was enough to stave off the Warhawks as TCU avoided an upset loss that would’ve hurt their NCAA Tournament resume. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026

As the world is reshaped by the AI industry while trying to stave off the worst effects of climate change, corporations have to strike a balance between growth and environmental and social stewardship. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 10 Nov. 2026

The song’s lyrical references to staving off midlife decline are no accident. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 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