Staves, also known as staffs, are long, straight wooden poles that are used for a variety of purposes. Some common synonyms for the word staves include rods, poles, batons, sticks, and canes. These words are often used to describe different shapes and sizes of staves, depending on their intended use. For example, a baton is a thin, lightweight stave that is commonly used by conductors to direct an orchestra. A cane is a curved stave that is often used for support or as a fashion accessory. Poles and rods are typically longer and more sturdy than batons and canes, and are often used for support or for hoisting objects. Overall, there are many different synonyms for the word staves, each of which describes a slightly different type or use of the item.