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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 company is closing the underperforming stores in a bid to stave off the fate of some of its peers, like Sears, JCPenney and Bed Bath & Beyond, which all struggled for years before filing for bankruptcy, Axios reported.
—
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
Early results suggest that cooling the surrounding water temperature by as little as 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.8 to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) can help stave off coral bleaching.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
The inevitability of Oppenheimer gave voters the chance to acknowledge a genuine theater-packing hit and temporarily stave off existential crises about whether awards season really matters anymore—always a concern, as critical tastes have further diverged from what audiences tend to like.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
After wasting a double-digit lead the night before against the Kings, the Heat staved off the Warriors’ second-half comeback attempt on Tuesday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stave off 
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025
Early results suggest that cooling the surrounding water temperature by as little as 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.8 to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) can help stave off coral bleaching.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
The inevitability of Oppenheimer gave voters the chance to acknowledge a genuine theater-packing hit and temporarily stave off existential crises about whether awards season really matters anymore—always a concern, as critical tastes have further diverged from what audiences tend to like.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
After wasting a double-digit lead the night before against the Kings, the Heat staved off the Warriors’ second-half comeback attempt on Tuesday.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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Numerous attempts to break to new heights were repelled, pushing the price back to previous support levels.—
David Keller,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2025
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He is dressed in a pilgrim’s fur overcoat to repel rain and retain warmth.—
Virginia Raguin,
The Conversation,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Fortunately, altitude sickness can be prevented or minimized if your body gradually adjusts to the shift in air pressure and oxygen.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
24 Jan. 2025
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But the fact that Trump is dead wrong will not prevent him from inflicting serious harm right now on American families like my own.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Complete with two carry-ons and two checkable bags, each suitcase is outfitted in 100 percent ABS, hardwearing material that resists scratches and dents.—
Alyssa Brascia,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2025
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This Mount Royal Avenue cultural institution resists change (its historic interior was last updated in 1982) and yet bends successfully.—
Jacques Kelly,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Had both parties agreed to these terms then, thousands of Gazans might still be alive, and the recent destruction in the northern Gaza Strip could have been averted.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
16 Jan. 2025
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The aim is to prevent AI from emitting foul remarks, stop AI from plainly showcasing how to make bombs and other weapons, and even avert the vaunted existential risk that AI might one day opt to enslave or wipe out humankind.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Since 2000, Minnesota has won nine-plus games in consecutive seasons exactly once — when the Tarvaris Jackson/Gus Frerotte tag team won 10 games in 2008, and Brett Favre turned back the clock in 2009.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
17 Jan. 2025
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This was when, fearing for their own daughter, Samir’s parents decided to turn back.—
Jazzmin Jiwa,
TIME,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Inevitably, the question will arise: Even without the fear of breaking the law, why the hell would anyone head off on their honeymoon with dozens of heads of cabbage stashed in their pants?—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2025
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Brittany stepped onto the field ahead of the game to give the Chiefs quarterback a quick kiss before Patrick headed off to start the game.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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My press pass, however, can’t get her into the restricted zone, even for press photos, so we’re turned away.—
Francine Kiefer,
The Christian Science Monitor,
17 Jan. 2025
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But the school board urged the Supreme Court to turn away the case.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Today, Ukrainian troops repulsed yet another attack by the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade around Pogrebki, the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies reported.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
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Challenged and Denounced Millions were repulsed by Mr. Le Pen’s statements.—
Robert D. McFadden,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stave off
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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