1
as in repels
to drive back
managed to stave off the invaders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prevents
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 staves off
Health policy researchers and economists say providing Medicaid coverage to immigrants for preventive services and treatment of chronic health conditions staves off more costly care for patients down the road.
—
Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Health policy researchers and economists say providing Medicaid coverage to immigrants for preventive services and treatment of chronic health conditions staves off more costly care for patients down the road.
—Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Frequent tennis play improves bone density, which staves off fractures and osteoporosis.
—Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Health policy researchers and economists say providing Medicaid coverage to immigrants for preventive services and treatment of chronic health conditions staves off more costly care for patients down the road.
—Angela Hart, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Frequent tennis play improves bone density, which staves off fractures and osteoporosis.
—Alexandra Moe, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for staves off
Verb
-
Not to mention, the suede upper is protected with a 3M Scotchguard treatment that repels water, so you’re quite literally covered for any rain showers or dirty puddles.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The pair are gifted grimoires at the age of 15, though Asta's is a rare Grimoire of Anti-Magic that negates and repels his opponent's spells.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Russell Crowe plays Amorth, bringing his unique screen charisma in such a way that prevents the film from becoming too self-serious.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
This prevents stray heat from disrupting the atoms’ oscillations.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Spaniard receives with his back to goal and turns away from Morato before being brought down.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
And surely enough, the club’s focus soon turns away from their increasingly baffling cold case and onto a more pressing one.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The settlement averts what promised to be a high-profile trial.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And Keenan Allen turns back the clock.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Law plays Jake Friedken, a hotshot restaurant owner whose life is thrown into chaos when his black sheep older brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), turns back up after years on the run.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Verna insists the souls of the dead live within the alien ship, but Mitsuki resists the lure.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Her lens resists finality; every image feels open-ended, as if the story could turn in any direction.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Staves off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/staves%20off. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share