Definitions

beat off

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defend v.
dispel v.
fend off v.
fight back v.
fight back/fight off v.
rebuff v.
repel v.
repulse v.
ward/ward off v.

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:

beat off

Her husband has had to beat off hawks with a baseball bat if their small dog is outside.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

The deal for 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters was signed in February 2010 after AgustaWestland beat off competition from US and Russian rivals.

From BBC ● Mar. 5, 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

“Oh, how nice of you, Mr. Hare. So glad you could join us,” he said sarcastically, as they beat off rats and hurried the Voles along.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

beat off

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words