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
The paintings were believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
—
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Initiate contact on puck retrievals and use his six-foot-two, 202-pound frame to ward off the opponent.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Nearly everyone was bundled into casual, Michigan-appropriate coats to ward off the chill, from Ford executive chair Bill Ford, Ford CEO Jim Farley and master of ceremonies and former WDIV anchor Devin Scillian to Ford retirees, Dearborn residents and design buffs.
—Julie Hinds, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
This formidable midlayer wards off cold when wet, thanks to lofty synthetic fill, and features stitch-free baffles for a streamlined fit.
—Outside, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward off
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Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Initiate contact on puck retrievals and use his six-foot-two, 202-pound frame to ward off the opponent.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
Nearly everyone was bundled into casual, Michigan-appropriate coats to ward off the chill, from Ford executive chair Bill Ford, Ford CEO Jim Farley and master of ceremonies and former WDIV anchor Devin Scillian to Ford retirees, Dearborn residents and design buffs.
—Julie Hinds, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
This formidable midlayer wards off cold when wet, thanks to lofty synthetic fill, and features stitch-free baffles for a streamlined fit.
—Outside, 17 Nov. 2025
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 29 Nov. 2025.
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