STAVE OFF Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

stave off

verb

Definition of stave off

as in to repel

to drive back managed to stave off the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of stave off The coach is optimistic that medications can, at least in the immediate future, stave off the most serious symptoms of Parkinson’s. — David K. Li, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 Those impulses may have been shaped not by paranoia, but by evolution, as a way of staving off sickness in an uncertain world. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 National reporters, big GOP donors and the president himself have descended on Kansas as Republicans seek to stave off Hamilton’s challenge. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 At just 28 years old, and only 20 months removed from being named the Super Bowl MVP, Jalen Hurts is now on blood thinners to stave off what – without them – could be life-threatening blood clots in his lungs. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stave off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off

Verb

Leading brands, such as Cliganic, NATPAT and BugMD, use essential oils, like citronella and peppermint oil among others, as the active ingredients to repel pesty bloodsuckers.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Ion-generating toothbrushes release charged particles to induce a polarity that helps repel plaque, for example.

— Mike McRae, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of repel

Verb

The district also said that Beyer has made additional counseling and support services available to student-athletes and that students and staff undergo annual training intended to prevent harassment.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The administration has avoided publicly announcing these operations to prevent signaling a return to large-scale warfare.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Retail is a recent addition for a designer who long resisted it.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
In July 2025, Bennett and another man were charged with resisting arrest after a confrontation with LAPD officers at a candlelight vigil a few blocks from where Foreman was killed this year.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

Inside, a pilot and promising young co-pilot desperately tried to avert disaster for all on board, including a couple with two young children, a family caregiver and two others – all en route from Texas to the Bahamas.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
The annual meetings aim to avert a major regional conflict and strengthen defense cooperation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of avert

Verb

The fall 2026 collection from Taller Marmo turned back the clock with its designs, creating dresses and gowns inspired by film noir, Old Hollywood glamour and 1920s evening wear, a fit for her club-crooner aesthetic.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
The clocks haven’t turned back yet, but the mood shift is already underway.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn back

Verb

Afterward, many guests headed off to Babe’s of Carytown, the oldest lesbian bar on the East Coast.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
Released to critical acclaim in 2022, the role-playing game from Japanese publisher Bandai Namco is set in a dark fantasy world and allows players to head off on adventures within vast environments and dungeons.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of head off

Verb

Republicans, however, could take advantage of Newsom’s action and cast him as a soft-on-crime liberal who is out of touch with most Americans, which risks turning away moderate voters.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
He was cleared to land on a runway there, but the plane turned away from the runway while just north of the airport and continued to drop in the air while flying south past the airport, the NTSB report said.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of turn away

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staved off

stave off

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“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of stave off

verb

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