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
Crops belonging to the nightshade family like potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes produce these bitter-tasting molecules to help ward off predation by fungi, insects, and other animals.
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New Atlas, 29 June 2025
In late January, Cloudflare warded off a 5.6Tbps attack, a record at the time, just months after fending off a 4.2Tbps attack.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 22 June 2025
First, motion sensor outdoor lights illuminate your home’s exterior, helping to ward off trespassers.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
The Kansas City Business Journal reported Tuesday that the bankruptcy filing warded off a scheduled foreclosure sale.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward off
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New Atlas, 29 June 2025
In late January, Cloudflare warded off a 5.6Tbps attack, a record at the time, just months after fending off a 4.2Tbps attack.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 22 June 2025
First, motion sensor outdoor lights illuminate your home’s exterior, helping to ward off trespassers.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025
The Kansas City Business Journal reported Tuesday that the bankruptcy filing warded off a scheduled foreclosure sale.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 June 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 5 Jul. 2025.
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