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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 in the group stage of the competition, Gollner says awarding a point for a tie acknowledges the effort inherent in staving off defeat.
—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
By comparison, in 2022, Republicans picked up a handful of seats and narrowly won control of the House, and although Democrats staved off a large-scale GOP wave, Latino voters trended away from Democrats that year.
—
Anne Bryson,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The law, Newsom has said, prevents the state from saving more money in good years to stave off cuts to programs in bad years.
—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
Perhaps the most publicized of these policy failures is that the federal government hasn’t taken steps to stave off Social Security benefits cuts.
—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
By comparison, in 2022, Republicans picked up a handful of seats and narrowly won control of the House, and although Democrats staved off a large-scale GOP wave, Latino voters trended away from Democrats that year.
—
Anne Bryson,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The law, Newsom has said, prevents the state from saving more money in good years to stave off cuts to programs in bad years.
—
Taryn Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
Perhaps the most publicized of these policy failures is that the federal government hasn’t taken steps to stave off Social Security benefits cuts.
—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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Key Takeaways Mosquitoes are repelled by plants with strong scents, including citronella grass.
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At the heart of the battle will be Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and his fleet, fighting to repel the offensive led by Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) and the forces of the Triarchy.
Verb
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Cloud cover prevented a California Highway Patrol helicopter from reaching the injured climber directly, forcing the rescue to unfold in stages.
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Increasing staff at medical facilities during heat waves could also prevent unnecessary deaths.
Verb
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The Ground Above, her follow-up to 2022’s Weather Alive, resists the tacit assumption that an artist’s catalogue should walk a straight line.
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Ask for the dressing on the side, or resist ordering the extra ranch dip or heavily marinated meat.
Verb
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The author's experience shows caution, though slower, averts problems, contrasting with industry's rapid deployments that often encounter issues.
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The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes.
Verb
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Lionel Messi is turning back the clock and adding to the record books again.
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Climbing parties on the Normal Route had turned back earlier in the day.
Verb
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Before work, Geri heads off to question Joyce Tercek, the Yale admissions lady that Dennis blackmailed in the elevator a few episodes ago.
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In that same study of HR directors and executives, two-thirds of managers were reported to regularly avoid or delay giving critical feedback, which is the slow-motion version of the problem Gen Z is trying to head off.
Verb
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The 20-second clip concluded with Lacob turning away from Dunleavy and throwing up his arms in apparent exasperation.
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In the fifth minute of extra time Messi got deep into the box and his first shot was initially turned away by an Austrian defender.
Verb
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Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
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Spearmint and peppermint plants are particularly effective insect repellents, but many other plants in the mint family can also be used to repulse flies, including pennyroyal and lemon balm.
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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