ward off
phrasal verb
warded off; warding off; wards off
: to avoid being hit by (something)
ward off a blow
—often used figurativelyI tried different remedies to ward off a cold.
Examples of ward off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Whereas many of its counterparts worldwide are embarking on a rate-cutting path to ward off slowing growth and rising prices as a result of American protectionism, economists expect US growth to slow but inflation to quicken, a combination that leaves no clear path for monetary policy.
—
Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 18 June 2025
Los Angeles police are expected to maintain a presence in the neighborhood to ward off potential thieves and deter property crime.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Rabbits naturally avoid the smell of predators, so while my cat is a strictly indoor gal, the scent of her fur is enough to ward off bunnies.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2025
Recommended Prosperity Local, organic, and bipartisan: How Vermont is challenging Big Food
Iranian public opinion shifts
Public sentiment in Iran has steadily turned in favor of pursuing a nuclear weapon as the only way to ward off Israeli and American attacks such as Friday's assault.
—Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward off
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Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 18 June 2025
Los Angeles police are expected to maintain a presence in the neighborhood to ward off potential thieves and deter property crime.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Rabbits naturally avoid the smell of predators, so while my cat is a strictly indoor gal, the scent of her fur is enough to ward off bunnies.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 June 2025
Recommended Prosperity Local, organic, and bipartisan: How Vermont is challenging Big Food
Iranian public opinion shifts
Public sentiment in Iran has steadily turned in favor of pursuing a nuclear weapon as the only way to ward off Israeli and American attacks such as Friday's assault.
—Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ward off
Cite this Entry
“Ward off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ward%20off. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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