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

Troy picked off Lind three times in the second quarter to help stave off any momentum the Knights were starting to build. —David Delgado, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025

The oil-free elixir blends l-ascorbic acid, silymarin, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid to protect against free radical damage, stave off excess oil production, and clarify pores. —Akili King, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025

If his first half season in charge was characterized by attritional football and a safety-first approach designed to stave off the threat of relegation, Forest cut loose last term. —Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The Red Sox staved off a sweep with a 7-4 come-from-behind win, the 600th victory of Alex Cora’s managerial career. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 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