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

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
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.
The Treasury Department will likely implement extraordinary measures to stave off a default in the new year. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024 Users rave about its acne-quelling benefits—limiting excess oils and staving off stubborn breakouts. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024 Market strategists at major ETF firms are optimistic about the stock market rally continuing in 2025, expecting large tech stocks to keep generating solid earnings and stave off valuation concerns in the near term. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024 Green tea and licorice root extracts step to stave off irritation, thank goodness. Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stave off 

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stave off was in 1611

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 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

stave off

verb
: to force or keep away : fend off
stave off trouble

More from Merriam-Webster on stave off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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