stave off
verb
staved off; staving off; staves off
transitive verb
1
: to fend off
staving off creditors
2
: to ward off (something adverse) : forestall
trying to stave off disaster
Synonyms
- beat off
- fend (off)
- rebut
- repel
- repulse
- turn away
- turn back
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
managed to stave off the invaders the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies
Word History
First Known Use
1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1
stave off
verb
1
as in to beat off
to drive back managed to stave off the invaders Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- beat off
- turn back
- repel
- resist
- repulse
- turn away
- fend (off)
- stand off
- fight
- withstand
- hold off
- rebut
- oppose
- deflect
- ward (off)
- defy
- rebuff
- spurn
- snub
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- embrace
- welcome
- hail
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
- prevent
- avert
- head off
- avoid
- obviate
- preclude
- escape
- help
- forestall
- provide
- anticipate
- evade
- thwart
- fend (off)
- save
- nullify
- shake
- offset
- foil
- deter
- ward (off)
- neutralize
- compensate (for)
- hinder
- retard
- elude
- deflect
- balk
- shun
- hamper
- block
- make up (for)
- eschew
- interfere (with)
- impede
- negate
- checkmate
- stop
- prohibit
- stall
- circumvent
- counterbalance
- counteract
- forbid
- dodge
- frustrate
- bar
- stop
- check
- baffle
- duck
- shirk
- halt
- inhibit
- arrest
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- assist
- aid
- facilitate
- forward
- ease
- promote
- encourage
- permit
- leave
- further
- let
- foster
- advance
- cultivate
- abet
- allow
- smooth
- nurture
- unclog