stave

[steyv] / steɪv /

VERB

prevent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate avert avoid counteract foil forestall halt hold off preclude put an end to rule out thwart ward off

STRONG

arrest baffle balk bar block check chill cool cork counter dam debar forbid forfend frustrate hamper hinder impede inhibit intercept interdict interrupt limit obstruct obviate prohibit repress restrain restrict retard stop ward

WEAK

defend against head off hold back keep lid on nip in the bud put a stop to shut out stave off turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist forward help support

STRONG

abet advance allow approve continue encourage expedite facilitate free heat let go liberate open permit promote push release unblock warm

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 Huxley’s dystopia, we must deliberately shape our children’s souls so that they can be creators, doers and thinkers embracing the next frontier.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Australia will look to stave off energy shortages by forcing major gas companies to reserve 20 percent of their exports for domestic use, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Thursday.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

A state report published late last year, however, concluded that even a full reservoir wouldn’t have ensured enough water to stave off disaster and that hydrants would have still lost pressure amid massive demands.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Now, concerns have grown that the country may not be able to stave off another economic crisis.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

At least that’s what I kept telling myself, in a vain attempt to stave off the epic loneliness I now felt.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Vocabulary lists containing stave

This Week In Words: August 17–23, 2019

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Music - Middle School

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"The Tragedy of Macbeth," Vocabulary from Act 5

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