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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
The debt limit was last suspended by Congress as part of a bipartisan bill struck between former President Biden and GOP leadership in 2023, staving off the threat of national default through early 2025.
—
Aris Folley, The Hill, 9 May 2025
From his memories as a high schooler working to stave off freezes in citrus groves to his present-day tenure as mayor, Johnson remembers 70 of the city’s 100 years.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2025
The concern is that an economy damaged by tariffs will force the Fed to cut interest rates to stave off job losses, at the risk of driving inflation higher.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 8 May 2025
Alternatively, bananas could be eaten as an afternoon snack, as the fiber content can help stave off hunger until dinner.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Aris Folley, The Hill, 9 May 2025
From his memories as a high schooler working to stave off freezes in citrus groves to his present-day tenure as mayor, Johnson remembers 70 of the city’s 100 years.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2025
The concern is that an economy damaged by tariffs will force the Fed to cut interest rates to stave off job losses, at the risk of driving inflation higher.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 8 May 2025
Alternatively, bananas could be eaten as an afternoon snack, as the fiber content can help stave off hunger until dinner.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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There are a few factors driving that interest; Greenland occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe, which could help repel any potential attack from Russia, experts have said.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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The lenses are scratch-resistant and treated to repel water, dirt, and oil.—
Lauren Wingenroth,
SELF,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Probiotics may help fight and prevent respiratory infections by boosting the immune system and reducing the presence of harmful bacteria and viruses in the respiratory tract.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2025
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Every effort should be made to prevent security breaches.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Verb
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The six others are reportedly facing charges of disorderly conduct, and one of them is also charged with resisting arrest, per My Central Jersey.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
18 May 2025
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In total, 42 people were arrested on charges including animal fighting and resisting arrest without violence.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Murphy expressed particular alarm over his party’s tactics after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) opted to avert a government shutdown this spring.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2025
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The city plans to avert further layoffs by transferring employees to the proprietary departments, like the harbor, the airport and perhaps the Department of Water & Power.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Obama turned back and grabbed Biden's arm, guiding him backstage.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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Hendricks turned back the clock on the Padres after the first inning.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2025
Verb
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In her opening argument, prosecutor Elizabeth Johnson sought to head off the possible defense that Combs was having consensual relationships with the women.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
13 May 2025
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That’s certainly not enough to prevent prices from going up significantly for American consumers, nor to head off the likelihood that there will be shortages of basic goods, as foreign imports have slowed significantly over the past several weeks of the aggressive tariff posture.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Her dark and wind-whipped figure turned away, facing into the distance, toward the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains.—
Patricia Lockwood,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
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Moreover, once- promising foreign markets, such as China, have turned away from U.S. media conglomerates in favor of putting more of their resources into developing their local pipeline of films and series.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The obvious solution—getting a proper job—is, for Jack, a non-starter: conventional work repulses him.—
Peter C. Baker,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
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Image In the novel, Pabst starts off physically repulsed by the mere idea of working for the Reich, but gradually comes around.—
David Segal,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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