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
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
However, Creighton staved off elimination with a 5-2 victory in the opener, setting up the winner-take-all finale.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 9 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
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
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
However, Creighton staved off elimination with a 5-2 victory in the opener, setting up the winner-take-all finale.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 9 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staved off
Verb
-
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
-
Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The judges also questioned Texas Solicitor General William Peterson over his arguments that the House is prevented from using proxy voting under the quorum clause, questioning if physical presence is needed to satisfy that requirement.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
-
According to Variety, the clause prevented any depictions or mentions of Chandler in any dramatization of Jackson’s life.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Sunset and the other arteries became metal chokepoints; engines were rerouted or turned back.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
But now the cameras have been turned back on them.—
Craig Spencer,
STAT,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Crisis was quickly averted before any photos were taken as the milliner reoriented his creation atop her head.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
Crisis averted, Tommy agrees to stay at Ludlow.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And even then, access isn’t guaranteed; capacity limits can still leave you waiting or turned away.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
-
Patrick Schulte turned away three shots for Columbus (3-6-3).—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In 1862, Mexican troops repelled French attacks on the city of Puebla de los Ángeles in the Battle of Puebla, also known as the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
Ukrainian forces shot down and repelled 249 drones, while hits from ballistic missiles and 19 drones were recorded in 15 locations, the air force said in a Facebook update.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
While Senate passage of the ROAD to Housing Act is a positive development, time and time again, the forces that support NIMBYism have resisted the carrot approach.—
Michael Schill,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Workers resisted him with false reports of incompetence, machine sabotage, and especially social pressure—something that worked on new recruits but not on Taylor himself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staved off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staved%20off. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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