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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of stave off
That might be why Bieber uses the ointment to stave off crusty, dry lips.
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Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 31 Oct. 2024
The Yankees would go onto beat the Dodgers 11-4, staving off elimination with the series 3-1 in LA’s favor.
—Jill Martin, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
First, to stave off elimination in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
The lopsided win was the Yankees' first in the best-of-seven series, and allowed the home team to stave off elimination.
—Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 31 Oct. 2024
The Yankees would go onto beat the Dodgers 11-4, staving off elimination with the series 3-1 in LA’s favor.
—Jill Martin, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024
First, to stave off elimination in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024
The lopsided win was the Yankees' first in the best-of-seven series, and allowed the home team to stave off elimination.
—Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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Because oil is hydrophobic (repels water), washing with just water is usually insufficient to clean hair.Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
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Some repel deer with a disagreeable taste, such as hot pepper.Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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American democracy hinges on the idea that each branch of government prevents the others from taking too much power.Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
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These maps show why Nov. 21, 2024 Environmental advocates also worry that the forest thinning portion of the project will focus more on biofuel companies’ bottom lines than forest health, doing little to prevent wildfires.Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Congress, however, resisted, and the proposal never became law.Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
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After treating the divas to a lovely performance on harp, the gofer can’t resist a bit of braggadocio.Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
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With tensions high, diplomatic efforts remain critical to averting a wider regional conflagration.Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
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Thursday's incident is the second potential averted school shooting to involve air guns in recent months in Wisconsin.David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Areas of Maricopa County like Chandler and Gilbert that swung toward President Joe Biden in 2020 turned back red in the 2024 election.Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 20 Nov. 2024
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Lifting his hands high above his head for all to see, the Italian gave his striker an enthusiastic round of applause before turning back towards his bench.Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Guests sipped espresso martinis and shimmied to a band performing camp classics from the Pointer Sisters to Tina Turner before heading off into the typically drizzly London night.Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024
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Now streaming on Prime Video, the coming-of-age tale with a dash of fantasy centers on 18-year-old Elliott (Maisy Stella), who’s in the process of enjoying her final lakeside summer before heading off to the University of Toronto.Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The self-winding movement has been reimagined – turning away from typical brass parts and featuring sky blue PVD aluminum mainplate and parts – adding to the lighter weight of the watch.Roberta Naas, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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A couple turns away from the Elara, Resorts World Las Vegas is also preparing for the race differently this year.Sunny Tsai, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
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But what was considered heroic in one era can repulse future generations.Elizabeth Blackwell, Longreads, 14 Nov. 2024
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Neither club emerges with any credit from the several days Gallagher spent in limbo in Madrid or training alone at Cobham, and the cold accounting calculations involved on both sides reflect ‘Big Football’ in 2024 in a way that understandably repulses many people.Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near stave off
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.
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