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as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stave off
The performance helped the No. 6 seed Illini pull away from No. 11 seed Xavier — and stave off a comeback — to advance to play No. 3 seed Kentucky.
—
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
For now, amyloid clearly is implicated somehow and families with Alzheimer's-causing genes are helping answer a critical question for anyone at risk: Can blocking amyloid buildup really stave off symptoms?
—arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
If boundaries are the weak point, anticipate ways to stave off interruptions – for example, hanging a Do Not Disturb sign on your cubicle.
—Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Even the outdoor waiting area, with a proper roof that actually staves off the hot sun, has uninterrupted ocean views, as do the sauna, steam room, and cold and hot plunge pools.
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
For now, amyloid clearly is implicated somehow and families with Alzheimer's-causing genes are helping answer a critical question for anyone at risk: Can blocking amyloid buildup really stave off symptoms?
—arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2025
If boundaries are the weak point, anticipate ways to stave off interruptions – for example, hanging a Do Not Disturb sign on your cubicle.
—Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Even the outdoor waiting area, with a proper roof that actually staves off the hot sun, has uninterrupted ocean views, as do the sauna, steam room, and cold and hot plunge pools.
—Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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These are the best marigolds for companion planting and repelling pests.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Apr. 2025
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The aroma of other plants repels insect and disease pests.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Such defenses include profiling victims before an attack is mounted, and can even provide an escape path to a benign alternative to prevent the threat being flagged.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Rather than address the underlying medical issues that prevent conception, IVF acts as a Band-Aid solution, artificially fertilizing eggs outside the womb in a laboratory.—
John Oertle,
National Review,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Vrabel then asked players to resist pulling sweatshirt hoodies over their heads during meetings.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The most resilient enterprises of tomorrow will not be the ones that resist change—but those that learn, adapt, and lead through it—with data, decisiveness, and humanity.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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How Investigative Journalists Actually Find Fraud, Waste and Abuse The evidence is similarly clear on Trump’s argument that continued reliance on tariffs to fund the government would have averted the Great Depression.—
Jesse Eisinger,
ProPublica,
8 Apr. 2025
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The United States and Iran are preparing for talks on Tehran's nuclear program in Oman to avert a possible military confrontation that could have devastating consequences far beyond the Middle East.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pic suffered a tough break when, shortly into the premiere showing at Roy Thomson Hall when the propulsive narrative was just taking off, the film had to be halted and the lights turned back on because of a medical emergency suffered by a ticketholder.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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Palestinians have appeared ready for peace in the past, only to turn back to rejection and terrorism.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Here’s what to know before heading off to the game.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Later, after crossing the Southwest runway, the plane was directed to head off to a section of the airport and call the control tower.—
Sarah Freishtat,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sticking to outdated practices can turn away both potential customers and employees who expect more.—
Daniel Kushner,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Tracy, a finalist for the Mike Richter Award given to the top Division I goaltender, turned away a shot just outside the crease from Western Michigan forward Alex Bumpt before time expired in the first overtime.—
Andrew Haugland / Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Even as the Russians massed forces and achieved a three-to-one advantage in troops in Kursk late last year, the Ukrainians held on—deploying mines, drones and artillery to repeatedly repulse Russian mechanized assaults.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Kay’s particular diet was a recurring talking point on the show, with condiments such as ketchup and mayo among the foods that repulsed the TV voice of the Yankees.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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