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
However, Brownridge staved off the threats and the Rockets entered the third with a one-goal lead.
—
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 8 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
Talking with a media scrum after his team staved off a relentless Crimsons team, the veteran head coach was happy after getting beat by Manual the past two seasons.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 2025
Varland would later give up the go-ahead home run to second baseman Jazz Chisholm, and the Yankees staved off elimination with a dramatic come-from-behind win.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Infielder Miguel Rojas broke into a full sprint and dove to get the third out at third base, giving Snell a sixth scoreless inning and maintaining the stalemate while the Dodgers staved off having to go to the bullpen.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … DEFYING ODDS – After taking a commanding lead in Farmingdale, New York, Team Europe staved off a late rally to secure rare back-to-back Ryder Cup titles.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 8 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
Talking with a media scrum after his team staved off a relentless Crimsons team, the veteran head coach was happy after getting beat by Manual the past two seasons.
—Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Oct. 2025
Varland would later give up the go-ahead home run to second baseman Jazz Chisholm, and the Yankees staved off elimination with a dramatic come-from-behind win.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Infielder Miguel Rojas broke into a full sprint and dove to get the third out at third base, giving Snell a sixth scoreless inning and maintaining the stalemate while the Dodgers staved off having to go to the bullpen.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … DEFYING ODDS – After taking a commanding lead in Farmingdale, New York, Team Europe staved off a late rally to secure rare back-to-back Ryder Cup titles.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staved off
Verb
-
For reasons that are quite possibly too unbearable to contemplate, a large group of American voters was not repulsed by such slander—they were actually aroused by it—and our politics have not been the same.—
Jeffrey Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Nicole is the kind of wife who moves out of her father’s home into her husband’s home, and who has been taught to be repulsed by the mushroom spores covering her body, just like all the women in their community.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The athletes are not employees in the legal sense and therefore cannot be prevented from leaving for another university.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
But a landmark land claims settlement in 1980 exempted Maine from federal Indian gaming laws, which has prevented the tribes from opening casinos on their lands.—
Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But on Sunday, the Bills turned back the clock to the days when passing offense reigned supreme, put themselves in nickel with Cam Lewis, and never came out of it.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But while 52,000 customers across the country got their lights turned back on, approximately 490,380 customers are still without electricity, Vaz acknowledged.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Aisha kept her eyes respectfully averted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But the crisis has been averted — Rebecca explains that Sarah didn't actually set the real Golden Bag on fire.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Their counterparts who had been turned away from Mercer County, too, formed communities elsewhere in Ohio.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Marquette’s Ivan Hooshmand then scored top middle over goalkeeper Parker Streumke, and Hudson’s Calvin Lessard was turned away on a shot inside the right post.—
Jim Hoehn,
Twin Cities,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that its troops had repelled a Ukrainian special forces landing and killed all 11 soldiers who arrived by helicopter.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Popping into a camp full of allies newly wary of the 428-year-old vampire in their midst, Regis begins by clearing up the misconception that he can be repelled by garlic, then drops a line about Jaskier’s blood smelling good.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other districts have considered offering virtual options This fall, Chicago school board members called for a remote option during a federal intervention there, but Chicago Public Schools has resisted offering it.—
Rebecca Santana,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Tompkins, who for years resisted calls to step down, faced no shortage of accusations during his time in public office.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staved off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staved%20off. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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