1
as in repels
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prevents
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 staves off
Health policy researchers and economists say providing Medicaid coverage to immigrants for preventive services and treatment of chronic health conditions staves off more costly care for patients down the road.
—
Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Health policy researchers and economists say providing Medicaid coverage to immigrants for preventive services and treatment of chronic health conditions staves off more costly care for patients down the road.
—Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Frequent tennis play improves bone density, which staves off fractures and osteoporosis.
—Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Health policy researchers and economists say providing Medicaid coverage to immigrants for preventive services and treatment of chronic health conditions staves off more costly care for patients down the road.
—Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Frequent tennis play improves bone density, which staves off fractures and osteoporosis.
—Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staves off
Verb
-
This creates a protective barrier that repels fingerprints and gives your appliances a sparkling finish.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Sep. 2025
-
His success is both what draws those closest to him and repels them from his elevated position.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
State law prevents current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson from seeking a third term in office.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The attorneys argued that state officials' failure to disclose public information prevents them from ensuring that Ward's execution is carried out without constitutional violations.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And surely enough, the club’s focus soon turns away from their increasingly baffling cold case and onto a more pressing one.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Broadly, debanking is an umbrella term for when a bank turns away a potential customer, which can happen for a ton of reasons.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The settlement averts what promised to be a high-profile trial.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And Keenan Allen turns back the clock.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Law plays Jake Friedken, a hotshot restaurant owner whose life is thrown into chaos when his black sheep older brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), turns back up after years on the run.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The rug is suitable for high-traffic areas and is designed with durability in mind, with low-pile fabric that doesn’t shed and resists stains.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Herzog resists making a hero out of Messner, who can seem subject to a darkly fatalistic drive.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staves off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staves%20off. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share