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2
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
Starmer managed to stave off the previous calls for his resignation earlier this year, including some from within his own party.
—
Frank Andrews, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The ruling marks a key victory for oil companies in their bid to stave off climate change lawsuits filed by activists against them seeking damages for their operations.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
In the later game, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors are playing to stave off elimination.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Corpus Christi officials have warned the city could run out of water and will release more reservoir water into Lake Corpus Christi to stave off the crisis, according to a news release Three Rivers issued on March 23.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Frank Andrews, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
The ruling marks a key victory for oil companies in their bid to stave off climate change lawsuits filed by activists against them seeking damages for their operations.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
In the later game, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors are playing to stave off elimination.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Corpus Christi officials have warned the city could run out of water and will release more reservoir water into Lake Corpus Christi to stave off the crisis, according to a news release Three Rivers issued on March 23.
—Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stave off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off
Verb
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Recliner protectors are built to repel liquids enough to be easily wiped away.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, placing cedar blocks within storage bags, boxes, and bins will help repel moths and carpet beetles, Flores adds.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Section Two of the 1965 Voting Rights Act aimed to prevent mapmakers from weakening the voting power of racial minorities by either packing them into one district or spreading them out across too many districts to have an impact.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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British monarchs are subject to rules and norms meant to prevent them from taking overtly political stands.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With sedge plants, the rhizomes create a tough mat just below ground level that resists foot traffic.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Both homeowners were charged with resisting.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The latest domino to fall is Spirit Airlines, which is on the brink of collapse with no good options to avert it.—
Elaine Parker,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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Matt Duchene tied it for Dallas on a power play midway through the third period, seconds after his backcheck on Matt Boldy averted a short-handed goal that would've put Minnesota up by two.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was advised to turn back along the same route and keep moving to avoid falling asleep through hypothermia.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Among the vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire, several were fired upon and others turned back.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos' daughter Elliott posed for a sweet shot with her dad before heading off to prom on June 2, 2021.—
Lindy Segal,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Before Snow heads off to serve his sentence, President Warnock (Peter Hudson) receives the news that his daughter, Emilie (Maggie Grace), who was investigating issues around MS One, has been taken hostage by the prisoners who have woken up.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Megan, meanwhile, gets increasingly emotional, turns away from the audience to wipe her tears, then pulls herself together and smiles so that the show can go on and everybody else can bow as well.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
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In turning away the case, the Supreme Court leaves that lower court decision in place.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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