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Definitions

beat off

VERB
defend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contend fight fight for guard hold maintain oppose preserve prevent resist safeguard secure shield uphold
STRONG
avert battle bulwark cherish conserve cover entrench espouse fortify foster garrison hedge house insure mine nourish save screen shelter sustain war watch withstand
WEAK
care for fend off guard against hold at bay keep safe look after panoply provide sanctuary repel danger stave off take in ward off watch over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon desert endanger give up harm hurt ignore injure let go lose neglect support surrender
STRONG
forsake make peace
WEAK
attack leave quit relinquish renounce resign
VERB
dispel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allay chase away dismiss disperse dissipate eliminate resolve
STRONG
banish cancel crumble deploy disband disintegrate distribute eject expel oust repel rout scatter scramble
WEAK
break it up break up bust up split up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept collect gather keep welcome
STRONG
allow hold permit take in
WEAK
accumulate garner recall
VERB
fend off
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avert avoid deflect rebuff rebut reject repel repulse resist spurn ward off
WEAK
drive back hold at bay keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep off parry rebuke refuse snub stave off turn aside
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve attract want welcome
WEAK
let in
VERB
fight back
Synonyms
STRONGEST
resist retaliate
WEAK
bottle up check contain control curb fight off hold back oppose repel reply repress repulse restrain stave off ward off
VERB
fight back/fight off
Synonyms
WEAK
bottle up check contain control curb fend off hold at bay hold back keep at bay oppose put up fight repel reply repress repulse resist restrain retaliate stave off ward off
Antonyms
WEAK
give in give up surrender yield
VERB
rebuff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chide deny dismiss disregard fend off ignore oppose rebuke refuse reject repudiate resist snub spurn turn down
STRONG
check cross cut decline disallow discourage neglect repel reprove repulse slight
WEAK
brush off cold-shoulder hold off keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep at bay lash out at not hear of pass up push back put in one's place put off send away stave off tell off ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
OK accept acknowledge admit allow approve compliment go along grant note pay attention praise regard sanction welcome
STRONG
aid assist attract help permit
WEAK
hug include take in
VERB
repel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand
STRONG
buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse
WEAK
beat back brush off cast aside drive back force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down
Antonyms
STRONG
accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support
WEAK
attract draw
VERB
repulse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fend off overthrow put down rebuff repel resist ward off
STRONG
check defeat nix rebut reject
WEAK
brush off drive back fight off heave-ho hold off keep off kick in the teeth push back set back stave off throw back
Antonyms
STRONG
aid allow approve help
WEAK
attract enchant please soothe
VERB
ward/ward off
Synonyms
WEAK
avert avoid block check deflect deter divert fend foil forestall frustrate halt hold off interrupt keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off obviate parry preclude prevent rebuff rebut repel repulse rule out stave off stop stymie thwart turn turn aside turn away
Antonyms
WEAK
lay bare make vulnerable open

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.

See Examples For:

The Austrian team beat off competition from reigning European champions Budapest who were on track to win, but ended up in fourth place.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2025

Romola Garai beat off stiff competition - including from herself - to take home the Olivier for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Years.

From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2025

Qatar beat off a challenge from South Korea in October to host the 2023 Asian Cup, using the facilities created for the World Cup.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 5, 2022

On a wonky night for UCLA, its defense giving out yardage like Rose Bowl flea market fliers and its offense a beat off its usual rhythm, one thing remained constant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2022

“That’s her,” he said, pointing at Luna, who was still dancing alone, waving her arms around her head like someone attempting to beat off midges.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

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