STAVE OFF Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

stave off

verb

Definition of stave off

as in to repel

to drive back managed to stave off the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 stave off To help stave off conflict, the study’s authors said, parents should be proactive about tough conversations and should consider an independent or professional fiduciary. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Healthy digestion and a healthy gut play a role in staving off inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2026 Despite years of low ferret figures in the wild, biologists think that there’s hope for a population recovery, with the advent of new techniques to stave off the plague. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026 The Chicago Teachers Union pushed to be part of the program anyway, arguing every dollar would help stave off potential layoffs or program cuts. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stave off

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stave off

Verb

The wax repels liquid water but keeps tiny pores, so vapor can still escape.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
The law prohibits federal officials from stationing troops or armed personnel at polling places, except when necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.

— TIME Staff, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of repel

Verb

The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but those rates have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Evidence might include the underlying need, capability fit, timing, accessibility, ability to deliver and risks or constraints that could prevent action.

— Adam Feiner, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevent

Verb

Gibson was convicted of unlawful gun possession and misdemeanor resisting arrest for not exiting the elevator, but the jury acquitted him of felony resisting arrest.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

While people in Israel are praising the passengers and the captain as heroes for averting disaster, a broader debate is emerging over government failures that allowed something like this to happen, Lonsdorf says.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
Each time the door shut behind the man, Shawn had the feeling that some danger had been temporarily dodged, some crisis averted until the next day.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of avert

Verb

Tight end Travis Kelce looks like he’s turned back the clock for Kansas City, which is running the ball well.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
An Israeli military official said its fighter jets had turned back before the plane landed at Tabuk.

— Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of turn back

Verb

Unionized staff at the Whitney Museum in New York ratified its second contract Sunday night, hours ahead a strike deadline, narrowly heading off a disruption to the opening of a forthcoming Roy Lichtenstein retrospective.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Earlier this year, Newsom called for local elections clerks to count ballots faster to head off misinformation ahead of the June 2 primary.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of head off

Verb

Online video shows Prescott looking back at the man — who was there as a transportation service driver — while still walking, then turning away.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Time will tell whether Gen Z keeps turning away from higher education, but the truth is that the traditionally-aged students who do enroll are also arriving with a wider range of needs than ever before.

— Ruth Bauer, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn away

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staved off

stave off

staves off

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“Stave off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stave%20off. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stave off

verb

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