stave off
verb
staved off; staving off; staves off
1
: to fend off
staving off creditors
2
: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall
trying to stave off disaster
Synonyms
Examples of stave off in a Sentence
managed to stave off the invaders
the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Recent Examples on the Web
In a rush to stave off the ban, TikTok and a group of creators quickly filed lawsuits against the Justice Department, arguing that the law, the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, violates their First Amendment rights.
—
Makena Kelly, WIRED, 17 Jan. 2025
While the club are fighting to stave off relegation, his contract should also be constructed to protect the club’s future.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
The city is no longer actively budgeting this year’s payments against its deficit, but leaders are still aching to put the money to use — with new policy dictating that the revenue first be used to stave off the temporary closure of several fire stations.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
Buffalo was looking to stave off any Denver comeback attempt.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
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Makena Kelly, WIRED, 17 Jan. 2025
While the club are fighting to stave off relegation, his contract should also be constructed to protect the club’s future.
—Elias Burke, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
The city is no longer actively budgeting this year’s payments against its deficit, but leaders are still aching to put the money to use — with new policy dictating that the revenue first be used to stave off the temporary closure of several fire stations.
—Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
Buffalo was looking to stave off any Denver comeback attempt.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stave off
Dictionary Entries Near stave off
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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