as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
if we act quickly, we may still be able to head off disaster
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of head off
The five-year exhibit runs in San Francisco’s Presidio through August before heading off to 10 other cities, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon.
—
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Very little for Rihanna, who heads off to the studio instead.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 28 Feb. 2026
Reserving Lounge Chairs Planning to wake up early and claim lounge chairs in a prime location on the pool deck with your towels and personal belongings—and then head off to the fitness center, breakfast and to a cupcake decorating demonstration before making your way back to actually use them?
—Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
When Riley and the Grinch headed off to USC, Johnson decided to follow their lead and served as a graduate assistant from 2022 to 2023.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Very little for Rihanna, who heads off to the studio instead.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 28 Feb. 2026
Reserving Lounge Chairs Planning to wake up early and claim lounge chairs in a prime location on the pool deck with your towels and personal belongings—and then head off to the fitness center, breakfast and to a cupcake decorating demonstration before making your way back to actually use them?
—Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
When Riley and the Grinch headed off to USC, Johnson decided to follow their lead and served as a graduate assistant from 2022 to 2023.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Two months after the anniversary of the devastating Southern California firestorms, several legislators at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and lessening their harms.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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One hour before bed, to promote digestion of foods eaten throughout the day and prevent bedtime indigestion.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Today’s parents grew up in a world where vaccines averted preventable diseases, or at least lessened the toll of those illnesses if infection occurred.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
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The Ducks’ fourth line toiled low in the zone, and after the Jets hustled to avert the threat there, Trouba’s ostensibly harmless fling from the far corner found the net, appearing to hit Winnipeg defenseman Ville Heinola’s stick first.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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