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
Clearly visible in the mouth of the enzyme were the cell surface molecules, positioned in a way that showed how the enzyme cuts the head off and turns it into a ring.
—
Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Betts, Rice, Jaquez and Leger-Walker are heading off to begin their professional basketball careers with the WNBA draft that is scheduled to be held on April 13.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
Knowledgeable wranglers will make sure you’re settled onto your steed before the group heads off to see the wildlife, fauna, and flora throughout the park.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Berterame had redirected the ball toward Suarez with his head off a Silvetti corner kick.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Betts, Rice, Jaquez and Leger-Walker are heading off to begin their professional basketball careers with the WNBA draft that is scheduled to be held on April 13.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Apr. 2026
Knowledgeable wranglers will make sure you’re settled onto your steed before the group heads off to see the wildlife, fauna, and flora throughout the park.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Berterame had redirected the ball toward Suarez with his head off a Silvetti corner kick.
—Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Neighbors in Hollywood's North Lake neighborhood lost their fight to prevent a new apartment building from being constructed, after the City Commission approved the four-story, 22-unit building at North 16th Avenue and Shenandoah Street.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Cities in California and Washington state similarly passed laws to prevent businesses from refusing cash as a form of payment, McClatchy Media said.—
Hali Smith
April 15,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Three Mile Island meltdown averted by technology developed at Jamestown.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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On Friday afternoon, the workers’ union, Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, and the Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations, which represents NYC apartment-building owners, reached an agreement that would avert a strike before the April 20 deadline.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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