1
as in repulsed
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
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
And this was on a night when Doncic scored 41 points on 15-of-25 shooting (5 for 10 from 3-point range) as the Lakers staved off the Brooklyn Nets, finally pulling away for a 116-99 win on Friday night, their 11th victory in 12 games.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
While other local stores struggled, Outpost weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with support from its members and staved off staff cuts, according to Margaret Mittelstadt, director of community relations and Outpost staff member since 2004.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
But the Rams staved off the running clock with reserve Jordan Houston draining a 3-point shot and another basket.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
But the penalty kill, led by goalie Matt Wright (12 saves), staved off the first to get back to one-man down, and Ryan scooped a loose puck from the neutral zone for a drive to the net.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
The University of Miami women’s basketball team, back in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament after missing out last season, staved off a furious comeback by Stanford to win the opening game 83-76 in overtime on Wednesday.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
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
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
And this was on a night when Doncic scored 41 points on 15-of-25 shooting (5 for 10 from 3-point range) as the Lakers staved off the Brooklyn Nets, finally pulling away for a 116-99 win on Friday night, their 11th victory in 12 games.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
While other local stores struggled, Outpost weathered the COVID-19 pandemic with support from its members and staved off staff cuts, according to Margaret Mittelstadt, director of community relations and Outpost staff member since 2004.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
But the Rams staved off the running clock with reserve Jordan Houston draining a 3-point shot and another basket.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026
But the penalty kill, led by goalie Matt Wright (12 saves), staved off the first to get back to one-man down, and Ryan scooped a loose puck from the neutral zone for a drive to the net.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
The University of Miami women’s basketball team, back in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament after missing out last season, staved off a furious comeback by Stanford to win the opening game 83-76 in overtime on Wednesday.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staved off
Verb
-
Pheidippides, legendary Greek hēmerodromos, or courier, who is popularly believed to have run 40 km (about 25 miles) from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens in 490 bce, to report that the Athenians, in a single afternoon, had repulsed the first Persian invasion of Greece.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Cilantro, a polarizing herb that’s either adored in Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Indian cuisines, or repulsed by those who detect a nauseating soapy taste.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Matt Shaw’s diving catch in right field in the ninth prevented Trea Turner from driving in a run.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
By going forward with this process while a criminal indictment is pending, the Committee prevented me from defending myself.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump vowed to maintain a blockade of Iranian ports if Tehran refused to reach a deal; the effort has so far turned back 27 ships bound for or departing Iranian ports.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The Hawks cut the Knicks’ lead to nine by the time Brown turned back to his starters and kept the momentum rolling to outscore the Knicks 20-9 to end the fourth quarter.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matt Duchene tied it for Dallas on a power play midway through the third period, seconds after his backcheck on Matt Boldy averted a short-handed goal that would've put Minnesota up by two.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The school district narrowly averted 100 layoffs at the end of March, and potentially 300 more by the end of the school year, with an emergency $10 million from Gaston County commissioners March 24.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Audiences have been turned away from screenings around the world and presales have more sparkle than a white glove.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Other guests reacted more demurely—some turned away, while one wiped away tears.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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They were met by police who repelled them with tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray.—
Scott Bauer,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Magic repelled the Pistons each time Detroit got close, like late in fourth quarter.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite his undeniable brilliance, Orson Welles’s career resisted stability.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
22 Apr. 2026
-
His relatives had resisted efforts to subpoena them to the grand jury, according to court filings in the dispute.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staved off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staved%20off. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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