1
as in repulsed
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prevented
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 staved off
Khamenei staved off that adjustment for nearly four decades through force of will, brutality, and the conviction that bending would mean breaking.
—
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
After the 2024 season, Payton staved off competition for Webb by giving him a passing game coordinator title and a raise.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Residents have also staved off the arrival of data centers and a solar farm.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Curl’s interception staved off a threat, sending the crowd into silence.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Beverly’s defense had no answer for Vella, and classmate Jimmy Farrell staved off a mid-week sickness to deliver a clinic on his home floor with an immaculate midrange shooting.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
The longer the inevitable was staved off, the harsher the eventual adjustment.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
For years, the county's transit system has been hurtling toward a fiscal cliff, staved off by federal pandemic aid and an increase in tax levy support.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
However, after another bargaining session, the parties agreed Saturday on a new tentative contract and staved off a strike of over 4,000 workers.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
After the 2024 season, Payton staved off competition for Webb by giving him a passing game coordinator title and a raise.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Residents have also staved off the arrival of data centers and a solar farm.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Curl’s interception staved off a threat, sending the crowd into silence.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Beverly’s defense had no answer for Vella, and classmate Jimmy Farrell staved off a mid-week sickness to deliver a clinic on his home floor with an immaculate midrange shooting.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
The longer the inevitable was staved off, the harsher the eventual adjustment.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
For years, the county's transit system has been hurtling toward a fiscal cliff, staved off by federal pandemic aid and an increase in tax levy support.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
However, after another bargaining session, the parties agreed Saturday on a new tentative contract and staved off a strike of over 4,000 workers.
—Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staved off
Verb
-
And Republicans are among those repulsed by the ongoing scandals.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That effort quickly repulsed decent Americans.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Firearm safety activists say the shootings could have been prevented by following Michigan's safe storage law.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
However, the contract included non-disparagement and binding arbitration clauses which would have prevented the siblings from going to the police with their allegations or suing the Jackson estate in open court.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Before taking a seat, Doncic turned back toward Redick as reserve forward Jarred Vanderbilt stood up and clapped as if cheering on the Lakers to get in between his teammate and his coach.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
3 Mar. 2026
-
When Friedmann turned back around, Gambill was pointing his revolver at him.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
San Diego Unified School District recently averted a one-day strike after reaching a tentative agreement with its teachers.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Today’s parents grew up in a world where vaccines averted preventable diseases, or at least lessened the toll of those illnesses if infection occurred.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Voting was extended in Dallas County and Williamson County, outside Austin, after voters reported being turned away and directed to different voting precincts because of new primary rules.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Drayton turned away from the computer and fell to her knees.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Qatar’s Defense Ministry said a ballistic missile attack had been repelled, while sirens sounded in Bahrain but there were no reports of impact.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Wasps are naturally repelled by peppermint, clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Senegal is holding major debt reconciliation talks with the International Monetary Fund but Sonko has resisted the Washington lender’s call for restructuring.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The fiercest criticism came after Pretti's death, when Noem quickly alleged that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a gun and violently resisted after officers tried to disarm him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staved off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staved%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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