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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Recent Examples of head off
The alternate lane has become even more important as global oil markets are poised to head off a cliff in a matter of weeks, when crude reserves are expected to reach critically low levels.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Both teams are looking for a healthy seven-game series, but the Knicks seeing their best scorer heading off the court early isn't the way the Eastern Conference champions wanted to kick off their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 against these same Spurs.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
In the wake of a city goal to build and preserve thousands of units worth of affordable housing to head off rising demand, large-scale affordable housing projects have increasingly benefitted from the weight of direct municipal support.
—Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
Brazil will head off to their World Cup headquarters in New Jersey this week with a spring in their step after a commanding victory against Panama on Sunday night.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Both teams are looking for a healthy seven-game series, but the Knicks seeing their best scorer heading off the court early isn't the way the Eastern Conference champions wanted to kick off their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 against these same Spurs.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
In the wake of a city goal to build and preserve thousands of units worth of affordable housing to head off rising demand, large-scale affordable housing projects have increasingly benefitted from the weight of direct municipal support.
—Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
Brazil will head off to their World Cup headquarters in New Jersey this week with a spring in their step after a commanding victory against Panama on Sunday night.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
-
To prevent renewal, cancel your membership through your Account Page.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 June 2026
-
The bill, shared first with CNN, would codify NOAA’s aircraft reconnaissance and research role into law, which could help prevent those responsibilities from being transferred to another agency, like the US Air Force.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Luckily for Vegas, Carter Harter stopped Jarvis’ backhand, but the threat wasn’t averted just yet.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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When it was launched in 1930, the spirit envisioned by the then- FIFA president — and WWI veteran — Jules Rimet was to help bring nations together to avert future global conflicts.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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