stave off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

To stave off potential shortages of critical goods, the federal government can build up stockpiles and reshore critical manufacturing, including through public factories.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

Or had he resorted to Botox in his quest to stave off signs of decline and old age?

From BBC • May 30, 2026

They found that isolation measures helped stave off a wider outbreak -- and that the majority of human-to-human transmissions occurred on the very first day the infected person had a fever.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The only way to prevent the disease is to stave off measles infection — and officials emphasize that the best way to do that is to get vaccinated against the disease.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Although she was serene by nature, life had dealt her enough blows and she had suffered enough tragedy that sometimes she had to work to stave off the anxiety she felt.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman