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.
In addition, casein is known to promote satiety, thus helping to stave off nighttime hunger and reduce the urge to snack between meals. Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025 Graham told reporters on Wednesday that a $5 trillion increase to the debt limit should stave off the threat of default through the coming midterm elections. Aris Folley, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025 In a bid to stave off new duties on Canadian imports and resuscitate a trade relationship that has taken a beating in recent weeks, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) also pushed to force a vote on a bill that would unravel Trump’s executive order. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 1 Apr. 2025 Election law scholars raised the possibility that talk of a third term, whatever its likelihood, may function as a show of strength to try to stave off the perception that Mr. Trump is a lame-duck president. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stave%20off. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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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