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
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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
-
The chaos of American life repels her.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
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If your glass doors have a special coating that repels stains, test cleaners in an inconspicuous place first and check with the manufacturer for cleaning instructions.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
Verb
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This prevents the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module from running a brake pad self-adjustment routine that can contribute to the battery drain.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
The Doncic absence prevents the Lakers from properly evaluating their roster against playoff competition, complicating their ability to assess key personnel needs for the offseason.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Get it before this deal turns away from your doorstep.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
-
More chatting, the camera turns away to shoot some B-roll.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Corps project averts potential catastrophic flooding that could lay siege to about 475,000 residents, California and the nation, according to the government’s court documents.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Clayton Valley bounces back to beat Campolindo, Sacred Heart Prep shuts out San Mateo again, Gunderson turns back Del Mar.—
Darren Sabedra,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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Woods turns back a surprising challenge Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This ornamental onion attracts bees and butterflies (and resists deer and rabbits, too).—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2026
-
Organized in collaboration with the Miami-Dade Public Library System, the exhibition, which opened on April 3 and continues through June 25, unfolds as a traveling, evolving project that resists a single narrative.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Staves off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staves%20off. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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