head off

verb

headed off; heading off; heads off

transitive verb

: to turn back or turn aside : block, prevent
head them off at the pass
attempts to head off the imminent crisis

Examples of head off in a Sentence

if we act quickly, we may still be able to head off disaster
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Snelling has said investigators were pulling video surveillance footage from the area, asking the public for tips on who is to blame, and working to head off any retaliation. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025 Sure, Amelia gets to do some cool stuff like scamper on all fours toward a target, scramble down a wall like a spider, rip the head off one poor unfortunate and neutralize entire tactical units with her dazzling fight skills. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025 Ana Marie was shot point blank in the head off to the side of I-95 in Palm Beach County. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025 Bradford pitched for Aledo High School and posted an 0.64 ERA during his senior season in 2016 before heading off to Waco to pitch for Baylor University. Alyssa Cooper, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for head off

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of head off was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head%20off. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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