1
as in turning back
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preventing
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 staving off
Kansas City voters overwhelmingly renewed the city’s 1% earnings tax on Tuesday, maintaining a critical funding source for city services and unmistakably staving off concerns that the city’s budget could be thrown into disarray.
—
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Its duration favors the studios by staving off another renegotiation and potential work stoppage until 2030.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
Maintaining ties with Tehran is crucial for containing domestic tensions and staving off an insurgency from the minority Baloch community there.
—Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
McCarthy stood on his head for much of the final 25 minutes, staving off 17 shots through the third period and first overtime.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Gibney illustrates that state of waiting, of staving off what at that time appears to be the inevitable, with the famous sequence from Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, in which Max von Sydow’s medieval knight plays chess with Death on a desolate beach.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
The original language of the Clean Water Act – which is widely credited with staving off and, in some cases, reversing water pollution for more than a half-century – explicitly mentions environmental and human health, yet says nothing about economic prosperity.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 Jan. 2026
Your book is full of practical strategies for staving off digital exhaustion.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Its duration favors the studios by staving off another renegotiation and potential work stoppage until 2030.
—Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026
Maintaining ties with Tehran is crucial for containing domestic tensions and staving off an insurgency from the minority Baloch community there.
—Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
McCarthy stood on his head for much of the final 25 minutes, staving off 17 shots through the third period and first overtime.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Gibney illustrates that state of waiting, of staving off what at that time appears to be the inevitable, with the famous sequence from Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, in which Max von Sydow’s medieval knight plays chess with Death on a desolate beach.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 Jan. 2026
The original language of the Clean Water Act – which is widely credited with staving off and, in some cases, reversing water pollution for more than a half-century – explicitly mentions environmental and human health, yet says nothing about economic prosperity.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 Jan. 2026
Your book is full of practical strategies for staving off digital exhaustion.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staving off
Verb
-
Trains are turning back at Pearl/Arts District, Deep Ellum, Victory and EBJ Union stations.—
CBS Texas Staff,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte has often been full of personality in the public eye, famously turning back to wave at photographers when William brought her and George to meet their newborn brother, Louis, in 2018.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
National security officials have long argued Section 702 is essential for preventing terrorist attacks.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The civil case began when the federal government alleged that Live Nation used its clout to engage in a variety of anticompetitive practices, including preventing venues from using multiple ticket sellers.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There has been some press of late suggesting that studios are turning away from A-list festivals.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Whether this is a PR play or a first attempt at re-engaging with retailers after turning away from them five years ago remains to be seen.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
CNN‘s reporting of a statement issued by the country’s Supreme National Security Council, declaring victory and averting the president’s threat to launch attacks on civilian infrastructure.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, dry potting mix becomes hydrophobic, actively repelling water.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The moody space feels well-suited for a nightcap before heading off to bed.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Betts, Rice, Jaquez and Leger-Walker are heading off to begin their professional basketball careers with the WNBA draft that is scheduled to be held on April 13.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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She was taken to a hospital for minor injuries and later booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of brandishing a weapon, criminal threats, and resisting officers through force or threats.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Moores were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting a public officer.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staving%20off. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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