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
Coming moments after Carter Verhaeghe definitely charged and possibly boarded Evan Bouchard with impunity, bouncing Bouchard’s head off the glass, this seemed a bit inconsistent.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
In The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain, the protagonist heads off on an all-expenses paid honeymoon turned solo-vacation to Hawaii after her former fiancé Jamie left her at the altar.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 12 June 2025
Hunt briefly shook, gasped and raised his head off the gurney.
—Arkansas Online, 11 June 2025
State police said the trooper pulled out to try to head off the wrong-way driver, but after heading south from the Exit 41 area the driver could not be found.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for head off
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
In The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain, the protagonist heads off on an all-expenses paid honeymoon turned solo-vacation to Hawaii after her former fiancé Jamie left her at the altar.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 12 June 2025
Hunt briefly shook, gasped and raised his head off the gurney.
—Arkansas Online, 11 June 2025
State police said the trooper pulled out to try to head off the wrong-way driver, but after heading south from the Exit 41 area the driver could not be found.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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The volume of the baggy jean demands direction, and a brown boot can provide a visual anchor that prevents the outfit from totally overflowing.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
29 June 2025
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This prevents environmental waste while revivifying the rhythms, lyricism, and human emotions of Korean musical heritage.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Pakistan has announced its nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with averting a major conflict in South Asia at a time when the U.S. leader is contemplating intervention in the Middle East.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
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The day pass announcement comes after state lawmakers last month failed to pass transit reform legislation — or find funding to avert a looming $771 million fiscal cliff — during their spring legislative session.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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