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
The pressure to keep costs under control became more urgent during the pandemic when Macy’s was fighting to stave off bankruptcy.
—
Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
For years, the county's transit system has been hurtling toward a fiscal cliff, staved off by federal pandemic aid and an increase in tax levy support.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The two must figure out how to cultivate their blossoming relationship while staving off the suspicions of a jealous colleague.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers were able to stave off the Brewers’ ninth-inning rally in Game 1 on Monday night, as Blake Treinen got Brice Turang to strike out to end the game with bases loaded for Milwaukee.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
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Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
For years, the county's transit system has been hurtling toward a fiscal cliff, staved off by federal pandemic aid and an increase in tax levy support.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The two must figure out how to cultivate their blossoming relationship while staving off the suspicions of a jealous colleague.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The Dodgers were able to stave off the Brewers’ ninth-inning rally in Game 1 on Monday night, as Blake Treinen got Brice Turang to strike out to end the game with bases loaded for Milwaukee.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2025.
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