ward off
Britishverb
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Turn aside, parry, as in He tried to ward off her blows . [Second half of 1500s]
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Try to prevent, avert, as in She took vitamin C to ward off a cold . [Mid-1700s]
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.
A growing number of deadly West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes are spreading rapidly across Southern California and local officials are urging residents to take action to ward off a bite.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
Wedbush analyst Michael Piccolo said in a note last week that eBay had significant resources at its disposal to ward off any takeover attempt, including the possible adoption of a shareholder-rights plan.
From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security - the agency that helps ward off against cyber attacks - "must immediately help states and localities", Schumer wrote.
From BBC ● May 8, 2026
Analysts see China’s planned outbound investment restrictions as an effort to ward off the loss of more AI talent and intellectual property, and to warn any Chinese start-ups looking to “de-China” themselves.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
I may tap the seat five times to ward off impending doom.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
