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

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

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