stay away

phrasal verb

stayed away; staying away; stays away
: to not go near someone or something : avoid
I know I shouldn't go there, but it's hard to stay away.
usually + from
Stay away from my girlfriend!
He usually stays away from large crowds.
I try to stay away from caffeine.

Examples of stay away in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Residents have been urged to stay away from the monkeys and call for help instead. Heather Hollingsworth, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026 Just stay away from any shades that are too cool or gray in tone. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026 Marshall suggests staying away from commercial degreasers such TSP (trisodium phosphate), other chemical bathroom cleaners, ammonia, or bleach. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026 But as prices have climbed in recent days, locals have increasingly stayed away from the market stalls, reducing the chaos to a relative hush. Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stay away

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Cite this Entry

“Stay away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stay%20away. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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