at bay
idiom
: in the position of being unable to move closer while attacking or trying to approach someone
—used with keep or hold
The soldiers kept the attackers at bay.
—often used figurativelyThe doctors have been able to keep her illness at bay for several months.
Examples of at bay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plus, prostaglandin analogs can cause adverse reactions, so using a drug-free alternative can keep those undesirable effects at bay.
—
Jenny Berg, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024
Perhaps that rebound, along with a high-profile restructuring announcement, will be enough to keep activist investors at bay for a while.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
What ensues is a hilarious comedy of events as the 8-year-old not only learns to take care of himself at home but sets up the most elaborate traps to keep the would-be burglars at bay.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Higher tariffs on Chinese goods and all other U.S. imports would increase the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, a gauge of inflation, by a full point by 2026 — a notable risk as the Federal Reserve is trying to keep inflation at bay.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for at bay 
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.
Jenny Berg, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024
Perhaps that rebound, along with a high-profile restructuring announcement, will be enough to keep activist investors at bay for a while.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
What ensues is a hilarious comedy of events as the 8-year-old not only learns to take care of himself at home but sets up the most elaborate traps to keep the would-be burglars at bay.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Higher tariffs on Chinese goods and all other U.S. imports would increase the Personal Consumption Expenditures index, a gauge of inflation, by a full point by 2026 — a notable risk as the Federal Reserve is trying to keep inflation at bay.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for at bay
Dictionary Entries Near at bay
Cite this Entry
“At bay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bay. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share