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
However, Annie had planned to go to college in California and Ty was headed off to Europe on tour with his band.
—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
The book ends with Cantrell heading off toward Maine to restart his reclusive life.
—
Helaine Williams,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2026
The percentage of high-school graduates heading off to college will continue to decline.
—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
After posing for photographs beneath a large white umbrella, Phillips and Sperling waved to the crowd before exiting in a vintage Rolls Royce, headed off to their wedding reception at the Princess Royal’s Gatcombe Park estate.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
The book ends with Cantrell heading off toward Maine to restart his reclusive life.
—
Helaine Williams,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2026
The percentage of high-school graduates heading off to college will continue to decline.
—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
After posing for photographs beneath a large white umbrella, Phillips and Sperling waved to the crowd before exiting in a vintage Rolls Royce, headed off to their wedding reception at the Princess Royal’s Gatcombe Park estate.
—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Nejat argues that his experience with Miller and his termination could have been prevented with the protection of a union.
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Segregation laws prevented Black students from integrating into Euless schools in 1950.
Verb
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
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This work, backed by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, aims to elevate early childhood development to a global priority, emphasizing that preventing the loss of vital connections in youth can avert the need for healing later in life.
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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