staving off

present participle of stave off

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of staving off Pavers or concrete designed to mimic natural stone slabs visually break up the surface, staving off parking lot connotations. Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 May 2026 His last adventure involved him staving off a multiversal crisis by making everyone in the world forget him, including his best friends MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon). Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 The research suggests that staving off loneliness requires putting away our devices and connecting with other people in person. CNN Money, 6 May 2026 Now that the euphoria of David Pastrnak’s overtime game-winner has now subsided, the Bruins get back to the business of staving off elimination at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres in Friday’s Game 6 at the Garden. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 The link between flossing and disease prevention On top of staving off periodontal disease, research shows that regular flossing is associated with reduced risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke. Michele Ross, SELF, 22 Apr. 2026 Kansas City voters overwhelmingly renewed the city’s 1% earnings tax on Tuesday, maintaining a critical funding source for city services and unmistakably staving off concerns that the city’s budget could be thrown into disarray. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 Its duration favors the studios by staving off another renegotiation and potential work stoppage until 2030. Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 7 Apr. 2026 Maintaining ties with Tehran is crucial for containing domestic tensions and staving off an insurgency from the minority Baloch community there. Kyra Colah, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staving off
Verb
  • With an eye on climate goals, countries are turning back to nuclear energy to meet their energy demands without releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
  • Adams fell toward goalkeeper and New Jersey native Matt Turner, who was filming the moment, and landed on his left leg before turning back to continue his celebration by climbing back over the couch and then back off it again, his foot again perilously sliding through that space.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Clark finished with 21 points, forcing Toronto to respect her scoring ability and preventing defenders from keying solely on her passing.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
  • The maggots are thought to secrete various antibacterial compounds to ward off pathogenic bacteria and block biofilms from forming, overall preventing secondary infection.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Fracturing politics So far, Britain’s increasingly fractured political landscape has benefited Reform UK, as people have felt increasingly confident turning away from the country’s two major parties – Labour and the Conservatives.
    Katie Marie Davies, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2026
  • Officers doubled over coughing after turning away from the smoke.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
  • The union representing roughly 2,000 hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium announced a tentative contract agreement Tuesday, averting a potential strike days before the venue hosts its first FIFA World Cup match.
    City News Service, Daily News, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • The wax and sealant not only restores your chrome wheels’ glossy shine but also protects them by actively repelling brake dust, road salt and other debris.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
  • Lavender Thanks to its strong, aromatic scent, lavender is effective at repelling mosquitoes and flies.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Local outfitters can provide the essentials—just pack your sunscreen and a cooler full of your favorite refreshments before heading off to one of these popular destinations.
    Kelsey Yandura, Midwest Living, 17 June 2026
  • The book ends with Cantrell heading off toward Maine to restart his reclusive life.
    Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • He was arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon, resisting arrest with violence, resisting arrest, trespassing and being too intoxicated to care for himself in public, police said.
    Jose Fabian, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • After her third arrest in November 2024, Chelsea pled guilty in February 2025 to charges of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
    Anna Myers, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Staving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staving%20off. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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