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2
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
Only 2200 of them remain, having staved off swells of economic uncertainty, retaining their Irish accents and ways of life.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
The data comes as Japan grapples with the fallout from the Iran war, with the country releasing oil stockpiles and enacting fuel subsidies to stave off the worst of the energy shock from the closed Strait of Hormuz.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
That said, knowing which is your child's top choice can help strengthen your bond and stave off unwelcome behavior.
—Gail Cornwall, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2026
There was a push to use American dyes and colorants to stave off a deep economic recession—there wasn’t really any other choice—but the cold commercial reality dumped water all over that flag-waving parade.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
The data comes as Japan grapples with the fallout from the Iran war, with the country releasing oil stockpiles and enacting fuel subsidies to stave off the worst of the energy shock from the closed Strait of Hormuz.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
That said, knowing which is your child's top choice can help strengthen your bond and stave off unwelcome behavior.
—Gail Cornwall, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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Groypers are repelled by the obsequiousness of pro-Trump influencers who are always willing to contort themselves to support the President’s latest actions.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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But Calgary repelled another Ducks power play and wrapped it up with Frost's empty-netter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The bill also creates a pathway for people to sue if they were harmed by conversion therapy as children and a separate measure prevents insurers from covering such a practice.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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More often than not, a lack of numbers have prevented the program from fielding a full varsity team, something Kendall and second-year coach Tonia Logan would like to remedy.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Supporters describe him as a fighter but Harris resists the label of politician.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Lori’s speech articulates the fundamental twinship of artists and critics—a reality that has always resisted attempts to drive a wedge between the two.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After amassing 105 points, the sixth-best point total in the NHL last year that tied a single-season franchise record, the Kings are seeking to avert a similar fall from grace.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
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And if the lab finds the two samples to be a definite mismatch, an unthinkable error will have been averted at the last possible moment.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The only way forward is to scour the space for signs of anything out of the ordinary, from changes in the ads on the wall to a sudden flood that threatens to wash you away, and to turn back if there’s an anomaly.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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Trains are turning back at Pearl/Arts District, Deep Ellum, Victory and EBJ Union stations.—
CBS Texas Staff,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Berterame had redirected the ball toward Suarez with his head off a Silvetti corner kick.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Get a head start on heading off mosquitoes.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead, Neuer plunged down, jutted out a wrist of steel, and Mbappe turned away, eyes wide in disbelief.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the three partner schools had to turn away students and establish wait lists.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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