ward off
phrasal verb
warded off; warding off; wards off
: to avoid being hit by (something)
ward off a blow
—often used figurativelyI tried different remedies to ward off a cold.
Examples of ward off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
American military and economic might is a weighty currency in Europe, where the continent is not yet ready to ward off a sustained conflict with Russia alone.
—
Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
The reasons why have remained unclear, although there are plenty of theories related to attracting mates, warding off opponents, and even improving reproductive success.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Dating back to the Iron Age, bells were worn around the necks of grazing livestock to ward off predators and to keep their owners aware of their whereabouts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
So, was Grandma right about bundling up in the cold to ward off a cold?
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward off
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Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
The reasons why have remained unclear, although there are plenty of theories related to attracting mates, warding off opponents, and even improving reproductive success.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2026
Dating back to the Iron Age, bells were worn around the necks of grazing livestock to ward off predators and to keep their owners aware of their whereabouts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
So, was Grandma right about bundling up in the cold to ward off a cold?
—Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ward off
Cite this Entry
“Ward off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ward%20off. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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