Encourage and Stave off

Opposite meaning terms

Encourage verb - To fill with courage or strength of purpose.

Show all Definitions

Stave off is an antonym for encourage.

Nearby Words: encouragement, encouraging

Stave off verb - To keep from happening by taking action in advance.

Usage example: the quartermaster staved off a shortage by requisitioning more than enough supplies

Show all Definitions

Encourage is an antonym for stave off.

Cite this Source

Stave off and Encourage. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/encourage/stave_off

Encourage & Stave off. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/encourage/stave_off>.

Stave off or Encourage. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/encourage/stave_off.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "encourage" and "stave off" have occurred on timeline