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

Charging oneself with Jesus juice, the theory went, could also stave off death. —Jane Borden, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2025

Diabaté is distracting himself with women and booze, and another survivor, Lakshmi, is staving off grief by refusing to acknowledge her son has been consumed by the hive mind. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

Some studies suggest this might support your gut in ways that help stave off disease (but the research here is mixed and more of it is needed). —Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Nov. 2025

This combo staves off flaky, dry skin for a smoother, softer, and more moisturized pout. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 12 Nov. 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