staving off

verb

present participle of stave off
1
as in turning back
to drive back managed to stave off the invaders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preventing
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 staving off The question of whether to allow recording devices to make official legal transcripts has long been debated in California, where organizations representing court reporters have succeeded in staving off such changes. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The summer of 2025 was consumed by Newcastle (unsuccessfully) staving off interest in Alexander Isak. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 The Kansas City City Council approved a trio of ordinances on Thursday aimed at vacant properties that become nuisances and staving off demolition of historic buildings. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026 Of course, creating a culture of openness and respectful debate requires more than staving off government interference. — Annabelle Garland, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026 This latest heist recalls the brazen, daytime Louvre theft of France’s Crown Jewels in October, which, despite putting the country’s museums on relatively higher alert, does not appear to be staving off a spate of recent thefts. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026 Therefore, building mental endurance is essential to staving off decision fatigue and reducing the judgment errors that tend to surface when a leader's cognitive reserves run low. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026 But in the group stage of the competition, Gollner says awarding a point for a tie acknowledges the effort inherent in staving off defeat. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staving off
  1. turning back
  2. preventing
  3. turning away
  4. averting
  5. repelling
  6. heading off
  7. resisting
  8. repulsing
Verb
  • While her music has remained a fixture on country charts, the latest results show listeners are turning back to her catalog across formats and generations following her death.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Thus, Kansas City’s best cornerback lineup may include the young corners outside, with Sneed turning back the clock four seasons and manning the nickel.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of turning back
Verb
  • According to Lupo, cost is the single biggest factor preventing California’s major cities from placing high.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Although dates are naturally high in sugar, their fiber can slow digestion, preventing sugar from being absorbed quickly into the bloodstream.
    — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of preventing
Verb
  • Almost half of traders, portfolio managers and strategists in a recent Bloomberg poll support wearing shorts to work, but men in Silicon Valley are turning away from the look of the scruffy tech genius in shorts and flip-flops.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Slightly turning away from the camera, Schiffer revealed that the back of her bikini top was held together with the netting.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of turning away
Verb
  • The settlement was reached during a California federal trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users.
    — Diana Novak Jones, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Legislature passes bill aimed at averting Milwaukee financial crisis, lifting aid to local governments.
    — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of averting
Verb
  • Most claims about cornstarch in gardening, such as repelling ants or boosting water retention, lack scientific evidence.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Eucalyptus Oil Eucalyptus oil works similarly to peppermint oil in repelling mice.
    — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of repelling
Verb
  • He was dedicated to the sport and competed regionally and locally in the Midwest, winning competitions before heading off to college.
    — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This fall, Underscores is heading off on tour in support of Charli xcx—the perfect end to a banner year.
    — Vogue, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of heading off
Verb
  • Stanley is accused of blocking Rajabi’s car with his body, punching Rajabi’s window and resisting arrest.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While half of Gen-Z use AI weekly, 48% of young working people now believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, and 44% of Gen-Z workers (subscription required) surveyed in one report admit to actively resisting their companies' AI efforts.
    — Michael Chavira, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of resisting
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
Definition of repulsing

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staves off
staving off
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Cite this Entry

“Staving off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staving%20off. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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