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.
Hartnett notes that central banks are tightening as they try to restore credibility and ward off the surge in bond yields.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026
"Triple lock is vital to ward off pensioner poverty" reads the Sunday Express's headline, adding: "Campaigners say devastating new report on plight of UK elderly proves lifeline must stay".
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
The mall’s survival amid the community’s devastation was not without controversy given Caruso’s use of private firefighters to ward off the flames.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
However, the central bank could opt to hike rates again in September to ward off potential second-round inflationary effects from higher energy prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 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.
