ward off

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to turn aside or repel; avert

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ward off Idioms  

1. Turn aside, parry, as in He tried to ward off her blows . [Second half of 1500s]

2. Try to prevent, avert, as in She took vitamin C to ward off a cold . [Mid-1700s]

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Example Sentences

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

With the hantavirus antibody, the aim would be to give it to people exposed to the virus, to either ward off infection or limit the severity of any illness, Chandran said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 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

Scott hopes this shuttling around of his stem cells, a procedure that costs patients $10,000, will rejuvenate his 82-year-old body and ward off the effects of aging.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Several of the Riders cried out, and crouched, holding their arms above their heads, as if to ward off a blow from above: a blind fear and a deadly cold fell on them.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien