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
As Cal and Belle are being shot at, Kayce, who just turned down Tom’s offer to buy his East Camp ranch, is riding off into the sunset with his new love interest, Weaver’s daughter Dolly (Ellyn Jameson), and Kayce’s son Tate is heading off with Tom — neither aware of the threat lurking ahead.
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Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Tate is thrilled to be heading off on a private plane fishing trip with family friend, rich rancher Tom Weaver (the always-great Chris Mulkey).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2026
With both clubs headed off to European finals, the only real jeopardy in the game came from injuries.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The chemical storage tank at GKN Aerospace began malfunctioning on Thursday rose to dangerous levels Friday and into Saturday while crews attempted to head off a disastrous explosion and tens of thousands of residents remained under evacuation orders.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Tate is thrilled to be heading off on a private plane fishing trip with family friend, rich rancher Tom Weaver (the always-great Chris Mulkey).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2026
With both clubs headed off to European finals, the only real jeopardy in the game came from injuries.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The chemical storage tank at GKN Aerospace began malfunctioning on Thursday rose to dangerous levels Friday and into Saturday while crews attempted to head off a disastrous explosion and tens of thousands of residents remained under evacuation orders.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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The shower head and bath fittings were gold plated and a glass door fit snugly between the edge of the bathtub and the shower to prevent water from spilling out everywhere.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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Goldman later cited a Manhattan federal district judge's late May ruling preventing ICE from arresting people attending immigration court during routine, mandatory check-ins.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Concerns about TikTok Four months after the US averted a TikTok ban, some lawmakers say Americans still don’t have enough information about whether the deal addresses national security concerns.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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Tran reiterated his call for state and federal investigation and accountability once the crisis has been averted.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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