stave off

verb

staved off; staving off; staves off

transitive verb

1

: to fend off

staving off creditors

2

: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall

trying to stave off disaster

Synonyms

• beat off
• fend (off)
• rebut
• repel
• repulse
• turn away
• turn back

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

Many of the best water bottles aren’t dishwasher safe, so having a cleaning tool that can really get up in there is the best way to stave off the water bottle nasties. —Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 3 Dec. 2024

Cyber Monday 2024 Deals Best Cyber Monday deals for holiday shoppers Top holiday discounts under $100 Apple products marked down for Cyber Monday sales Congress has until Dec. 20 to pass legislation to stave off a government funding lapse. —Aris Folley, The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024

The company has entered self-administration to undergo a restructuring process in an attempt to stave off bankruptcy. —New Atlas, 1 Dec. 2024

That might be why Bieber uses the ointment to stave off crusty, dry lips. —Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

stave off

verb

: to force or keep away : fend off

stave off trouble