English verb: ward off | |||
1. | ward off (social) prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening | ||
Samples | Let's avoid a confrontation. Head off a confrontation. Avert a strike. | ||
Synonyms | avert, avoid, debar, deflect, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, prevent | ||
2. | ward off (competition) avert, turn away, or repel | ||
Samples | Ward off danger. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | defend | ||