Antonyms for ward off


Grammar : Verb
Spell : wawrd
Phonetic Transcription : wɔrd


Definition of ward off

Origin :
  • Old English weardian "to keep guard," from Proto-Germanic *wardojan- (cf. Old Saxon wardon, Old Norse varða "to guard," Old Frisian wardia, Middle Dutch waerden "to take care of," Old High German warten "to guard, look out for, expect," German warten "to wait, wait on, nurse, tend"), from *wardo- (see ward (n.)). French garder, Italian guardare, Spanish guardar are Germanic loan-words. Meaning "to parry, to fend off" (now usually with off) is recorded from 1570s. Related: Warded; warding.
  • As in prevent : verb keep from happening or continuing
  • As in avert : verb thwart; avoid by turning away
  • As in avoid : verb refrain or stay away from; prevent
  • As in rebuff : verb turn away; give the cold shoulder
  • As in rebut : verb argue against; prove wrong
  • As in repel : verb push away; repulse
  • As in repulse : verb push away
  • As in rule out : verb exclude, reject
  • As in shield : verb protect
  • As in stay : verb hold in abeyance
  • As in stop : verb prevent, hold back
  • As in ward/ward off : verb defend, guard
  • As in fight back : verb defend
  • As in stave off : verb fend off
  • As in circumvent : verb fool, mislead
  • As in stave : verb prevent
  • As in counter : verb answer, respond in retaliation
  • As in defend : verb protect
  • As in exclude : verb expel, forbid
  • As in fend off : verb keep at bay
  • As in fight back/fight off : verb defend oneself

Synonyms for ward off

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019