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as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stave off
The Mets are still in position to stave off NL Wild Card challengers.
—
Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This frontloading helped support China's exports — and stave off a Christmas crunch.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Chan, her mother and little brother tried to stave off hunger in rural China for four years, with her brother eventually dying from an epidemic that swept through their village.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
In response, Venezuelan officials moved to increase their own military presence along the coast to stave off drug trafficking, according to Reuters.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
This frontloading helped support China's exports — and stave off a Christmas crunch.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Chan, her mother and little brother tried to stave off hunger in rural China for four years, with her brother eventually dying from an epidemic that swept through their village.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
In response, Venezuelan officials moved to increase their own military presence along the coast to stave off drug trafficking, according to Reuters.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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In the first episode, the recruits wasted no time in repelling from a helicopter hovering in the air.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The devices can be plugged into outlets near possible access points to repel rats from entering.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Being less direct and formal can help prevent your kid putting a wall up — as can chatting during car rides since not being face-to-face can feel less intimidating for them.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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The rise in organized thefts has become a major talking point for advocates who are asking the state to step in to do more to prevent the violent encounters.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Criminal court records reviewed by PEOPLE show the 35-year-old faces charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and a false report.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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But previous presidents have resisted the temptation to exploit them, and the law has served as a powerful norm notwithstanding its weaknesses.—
Elizabeth Goitein,
Time,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The memo is the latest attempt to pressure Congressional Democrats to agree to a deal with Republicans to avert a shutdown.—
Erin Doherty,Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
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While it's become common practice for Congress to avert a shutdown at the last possible moment, such an outcome appears increasingly unlikely as lawmakers have departed Washington with no agreement in sight.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While not touted as an anti-aging serum, the cream’s ability to plump up tired-appearing skin can help turn back the clock.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
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But is there a way to turn back?—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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New Jersey kids go to Penn State instead of Rutgers; Illinois residents head off to the University of Missouri instead of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.—
Jeffrey Selingo,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Waller in particular has expressed concern that the Fed should ease policy now to head off future issues in the labor market.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Students from the kingdom are increasingly turning away from US universities in particular, put off by a mix of hostile immigration policies, concerns over gun violence, and the kingdom’s own push to grow its domestic education sector.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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There was Skubal, the best pitcher in the American League, inexplicably trying to flip the ball between his legs, back turned away from first.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jackson was repulsed at the idea of the film being shown to the public, as was Zapruder, who quickly settled again with Time-Life.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
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At almost the same time, the Grenadian Army repulsed special operations forces sent to capture Richmond Hill Prison and Fort Rupert.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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