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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
But when cold weather rushes in, a good eye mask becomes essential for staving off dark circles, dry skin, and the puffiness that follows a late night of caviar, blinis, and martinis (‘tis the season to indulge, after all).
—
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
The longer the inevitable was staved off, the harsher the eventual adjustment.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
To stave off these injuries, IndyStar dug around and spoke with an expert at Purdue Extension about what Hoosiers can do to keep their plants safe and healthy.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
In Yolo County, Baker is looking at the shutdown and the looming threat to CalFresh, the state program critical to helping low-income Californians stave off food insecurity, with a mix of anxiety and anger.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
The longer the inevitable was staved off, the harsher the eventual adjustment.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
To stave off these injuries, IndyStar dug around and spoke with an expert at Purdue Extension about what Hoosiers can do to keep their plants safe and healthy.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
In Yolo County, Baker is looking at the shutdown and the looming threat to CalFresh, the state program critical to helping low-income Californians stave off food insecurity, with a mix of anxiety and anger.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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The windshield repels the huddled form and the thump on the pavement sounds like a rebuke.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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It’s made from solid red wood cedar that’s water-resistant, won’t decay, and repels insects.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Heat, which was out-rebounded 61-38 in Wednesday’s loss in Denver, has had particular difficulty preventing teams from rebounding their own miss.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But, traditionally, the judiciary has been concerned about its institutional competence, relative to the other branches’, to evaluate the nature and extent of foreign threats and the policies needed to avert them.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
6 Nov. 2025
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In April 2011, leaders of both parties came to an agreement following weeks of difficult negotiations and ultimately averted a government shutdown, as recapped by President Barack Obama.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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Most of the group turned back, but the teen decided to try it out, reportedly relying on her experience, according to On The Verge.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some colleges appear to be subtly trying to head off parental overengagement.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
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Perhaps this move will head off that particular indignity.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But recent election results suggest trouble for the Republicans, with voters who fueled their gains in 2024 turning away from the party.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Their counterparts who had been turned away from Mercer County, too, formed communities elsewhere in Ohio.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
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Of course, one major qualifier for this is the fact there are plenty of reasons for even moderate Democrats to be repulsed at the idea of electing Cuomo.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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