stave off
verb
staved off; staving off; staves off
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
And yet, a nutritious diet is crucial for decreasing the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and staving off dementia.
—
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 12 Dec. 2025
Many of the 75 parents, students and teachers who signed up to speak asked the district to pause the closings to allow more time to look at alternatives and raise money to help stave off a budget shortfall.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
Sentiment among members of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee remains divided, however, as some favor cuts to stave off further labor market weakness and others believe another cut could worsen inflation.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Hank tries to surrender to the mob to stave off bloodshed, but the service members draw their own weapons and order the intruders to leave.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 12 Dec. 2025
Many of the 75 parents, students and teachers who signed up to speak asked the district to pause the closings to allow more time to look at alternatives and raise money to help stave off a budget shortfall.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025
Sentiment among members of the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee remains divided, however, as some favor cuts to stave off further labor market weakness and others believe another cut could worsen inflation.
—Sean Conlon,pia Singh, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025
Hank tries to surrender to the mob to stave off bloodshed, but the service members draw their own weapons and order the intruders to leave.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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