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
That triggered a new mandatory evacuation order for an area from Sunset Boulevard to Encino Reservoir, and from the 405 Freeway west to Mandeville Canyon, with sections of the thoroughfare remaining closed to ward off excess traffic in the West Los Angeles area.
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Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
Much of the relief effort is focused on warding off the cold.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
View 1 Images From fighting memory decline to warding off some cancers, drinking coffee continues to emerge as a way to improve your health.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2025
In the garden, Frank uses his experience sleeping on the streets to help Gregory and Mr. Johnson ward off raccoons.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ward off 
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Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
Much of the relief effort is focused on warding off the cold.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
View 1 Images From fighting memory decline to warding off some cancers, drinking coffee continues to emerge as a way to improve your health.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2025
In the garden, Frank uses his experience sleeping on the streets to help Gregory and Mr. Johnson ward off raccoons.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for ward off
Dictionary Entries Near ward off
Cite this Entry
“Ward off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ward%20off. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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