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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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Understanding these costs can prevent surprises and build a compelling case for long-term ROI.—
Rajiv Shesh,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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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
Verb
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But, as the story goes, the trial and its subsequent publicity made Burrell’s work dry up, and a lucrative book deal was impossible to resist.—
Allie Merriam,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2025
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Set in the aftermath of a devastating toxic snowfall kills millions, the series is helmed by Bruno Stagnaro and stars Darín as Juan Salvo, who joins forces with a group of survivors in Buenos Aires to resist the invisible threat.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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However, an active-duty U.S. Army pilot tells PEOPLE that the goggles may have actually hindered the pilots’ efforts to avert the crash with the airliner.—
Maria Pasquini,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
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By upgrading the recall status, the agency seeks to ensure that consumers are adequately informed and aware of the potential health risks, thereby promoting proactive measures to avert potential health impacts.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
28 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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The twin engine Embraer ERJ 175 began a climbing right turn away from the airport, and later landed successfully, data from FlightAware, a flight-tracking website, shows.—
Casey Tolan,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
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The witness then stated that the victim had turned away from Mark in an attempt to ignore him and this is when Mark walked up to him with a plate and hit the victim on the head with the plate.—
Sophie Clark,
Newsweek,
28 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 3 Feb. 2025.
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