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
Then, when the Patriots bulked up and played base personnel (four defensive backs), Smith threw it over their heads off play-action.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Pegula then broke again to cap a four-game run that wrapped up the set and, this time, Sabalenka quickly retrieved her bag and headed off to the locker room.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
However, becoming an expat is not always as simple as packing up your bags and heading off to wherever calls your name.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
But Republican leaders are hoping that document release and a vote on an alternative symbolic measure will head off Massie’s efforts to get his bill to the House floor.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head off
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Pegula then broke again to cap a four-game run that wrapped up the set and, this time, Sabalenka quickly retrieved her bag and headed off to the locker room.
—Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
However, becoming an expat is not always as simple as packing up your bags and heading off to wherever calls your name.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
But Republican leaders are hoping that document release and a vote on an alternative symbolic measure will head off Massie’s efforts to get his bill to the House floor.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Being less direct and formal can help prevent your kid putting a wall up — as can chatting during car rides since not being face-to-face can feel less intimidating for them.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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The rise in organized thefts has become a major talking point for advocates who are asking the state to step in to do more to prevent the violent encounters.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The memo is the latest attempt to pressure Congressional Democrats to agree to a deal with Republicans to avert a shutdown.—
Erin Doherty,Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
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While it's become common practice for Congress to avert a shutdown at the last possible moment, such an outcome appears increasingly unlikely as lawmakers have departed Washington with no agreement in sight.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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