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

• 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

After having already staved off throat cancer a decade prior, Dimon experienced an acute aortic dissection, or a tear in the inner layer of the body’s main artery, and had to rush to the hospital. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025

The Seattle Seahawks kicked a field goal as time expired to stave off a spirited fourth-quarter comeback from the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025

The new era of Survivor goes hard and fast, and the best way to stave off Jeff Probst’s itchy torch snuffer? —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025

The dialogue represents a significant chance for Democrats and the White House, after weeks of talking past each other, to reconcile their differences and stave off a shutdown. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025

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