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
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 staved off
That spending staved off a recession at the cost of overheating the economy, contributing to the inflation that still plagues Americans.
—
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 May 2026
But the team could not shut the door on the Stags (35-14), who staved off elimination and delayed an early claim to a coveted berth in the College World Series, which begins May 28 at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2026
In the moments that gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the actions of three men staved off an even more extensive tragedy.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Cat Petteys hit two home runs and Jessica Walter pitched a one-hitter as the UConn softball team staved off elimination with a 5-1 victory over McNeese in the NCAA Tournament Regional at College Station, Texas.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
The goal staved off the momentum from American Heritage (20-2), which scored three consecutive goals in the fourth period to tie the game.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
That threat, which critics warned could be a war crime if carried out, appears to have been staved off for now.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
That threat, which critics warned could be a war crime if carried out, appears to have been staved off for now at the 11th hour.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 27 May 2026
But the team could not shut the door on the Stags (35-14), who staved off elimination and delayed an early claim to a coveted berth in the College World Series, which begins May 28 at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2026
In the moments that gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the actions of three men staved off an even more extensive tragedy.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Cat Petteys hit two home runs and Jessica Walter pitched a one-hitter as the UConn softball team staved off elimination with a 5-1 victory over McNeese in the NCAA Tournament Regional at College Station, Texas.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
The goal staved off the momentum from American Heritage (20-2), which scored three consecutive goals in the fourth period to tie the game.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination for the second straight game with a clutch Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, but celebrations were briefly halted when a skirmish erupted over a controversial hit on Sidney Crosby after the final buzzer.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
That threat, which critics warned could be a war crime if carried out, appears to have been staved off for now.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
That threat, which critics warned could be a war crime if carried out, appears to have been staved off for now at the 11th hour.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staved off
Verb
-
Firstman’s debut directorial effort, Club Kid, shrewdly acknowledges those garish personality tics, which have both endeared and repulsed audiences.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
Anyone who has worked in or observed the media industry for the last couple of decades will recognize and be repulsed by nepo-baby Jay, who is undeniably villainous.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In correspondence discouraging districts’ diversity programs, the administration has repeatedly cited a broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, which prevented colleges and universities from directly considering race in admissions.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
World Liberty is embroiled in litigation with Justin Sun, a crypto investor who was a major early purchaser of WLFI tokens, over his allegations that World Liberty has quietly prevented him from selling his tokens.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
All turned back from fear or foul weather.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2026
-
The vacant home could be turned back into staff quarters.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The lack of risk-taking has helped keep a lid on financial flows, while supply levers have averted the worst hit to the market.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
During the crisis, all crews and firefighters could do was spray cool water on the tank, hoping that by cooling it down, tragedy could be averted.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The court turned away the appeal without comment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
Texas is split down the middle on which issue should take priority — stopping voter fraud or preventing eligible citizens from being turned away at the ballot box — as a poll shows the split is not a sign of moderation but of deep partisan polarization.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said the militant group repelled attacks along the riverbanks.—
Nick Duffy,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
-
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said the militant group repelled attacks along the river banks.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Media buyers have pressed for rollbacks in cable, and the media companies have resisted.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
Iowa’s farm lobby remains among the most influential in state politics, and Republican leaders have generally resisted stricter environmental regulations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staved off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staved%20off. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
