to ward away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to ward away" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to protect or defend against something or someone. Example: "The scarecrow was placed in the field to ward away the birds from eating the crops." In this sentence, the phrase "to ward away" is used to describe the purpose of the scarecrow - to protect the crops from being eaten by birds.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

A suggestion: Next time, give her a functional lightsaber to ward away the thieves.

The Washington Post

He waved his hand before his face in the night as though he were trying to ward away trouble.

The New Yorker

Dangling from all four corners of the house are pieces of carbolic soap to ward away snakes".

The Guardian

The president, he said, simply chuckled a Reagan chuckle, pinched some nearby salt, and threw it over his shoulder, as if to ward away the hubris.

The New York Times

The only noticeable hoardings are the scarecrow dolls that hang above doorways to ward away the evil eye – this includes the unfinished hotels in Saranda.

The Guardian - Travel

Juice blood oranges first thing in the morning to ward away a cold, and make sure you freeze some juice for summer cocktails.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Bodies need to be cleared away to ward off disease.

HuffPost

What a penalty shootout it was too, a moment of dramatic grace for Neuer, who saved twice, and seemed to ward off and wave away two more.

The Guardian - Sport

"Even a quick restart of sales might not be enough to ward off a serious shift away from Toyota".

The New York Times

They made a caper-movie getaway, sprinkling nails on the ground to ward off pursuit and zooming away in a motorboat.

Forbes

Some carried joss sticks to freshen the air – but they could not ward away a deep stench of blood and disinfectant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to ward away" when you want to emphasize the action of actively preventing something negative from approaching or affecting you. For instance, "She wore a talisman to ward away evil spirits" is more evocative than "She wore a talisman to avoid evil spirits."

Common error

Avoid using "to ward away" passively. It implies an active effort to repel something. Don't say "The problem was warded away" if the problem simply disappeared without intervention; use a different verb like "resolved" or "disappeared".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to ward away" functions as an infinitive of purpose, explaining the reason for an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies actively protecting or defending against something undesirable. The examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various protective actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to ward away" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that serves to indicate the purpose of an action – specifically, to protect against or prevent something negative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often used to convey an active effort to repel potential harm, whether physical or metaphorical. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various forms of communication. When using "to ward away", ensure that the context implies an active attempt to prevent something, and be mindful of potential synonyms like "avert" or "repel" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to protect against

Directly indicates providing a shield or defense against something.

to guard against

Emphasizes vigilance and precaution to prevent something undesirable.

to avert

Focuses on preventing something from happening, emphasizing avoidance.

to shield from

Implies creating a barrier to guard against harm or negative influence.

to repel

Emphasizes driving something back or away, often physically or metaphorically.

to defend from

Focuses on actively resisting an attack or threat.

to fend off

Highlights the act of defending against an attack or unwanted advance.

to preclude

Highlights preventing something from happening or being possible.

to keep at bay

Suggests maintaining a safe distance from something threatening.

to obviate

Suggests making something unnecessary or avoiding it completely.

FAQs

How can I use "to ward away" in a sentence?

You can use "to ward away" to describe actions taken to protect against something negative. For example: "The castle walls were built to ward away invaders" or "He carried a lucky charm to ward away bad luck".

What is a more formal synonym for "to ward away"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "to avert", "to preclude", or "to obviate", depending on the specific context. These alternatives suggest a more deliberate and preventative approach.

Is there a difference between "to ward away" and "to ward off"?

"To ward away" and "to ward off" are often used interchangeably, but "to ward off" might suggest a more immediate or direct act of defense. "To ward away" can also imply a preventative measure taken in advance.

Can "to ward away" be used in a business context?

Yes, "to ward away" can be used in a business context, though it's more common in metaphorical senses. For example: "The company implemented new security measures to ward away cyber attacks" or "They diversified their investments to ward away financial risk".