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
In Rouen, a small group headed off to the D-Day landing beaches, one of Uniworld’s Masterpiece Collection experiences (available at an additional cost), while in Vernon, a visit to a local cider farm was a hit with passengers.
—
Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
For me, the decision to head off to grad school in Indiana after a year as an English language assistant in Bayeux, France seemed obvious.
—Aimie K. Runyan, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
After Kimmel brought up the fact that her 18-year-old twins Max and Emme are graduating high school imminently and heading off to college, the multihyphenate entertainer fought back tears.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The Malt Shop opened in Parker County in 1958, when two military brothers built it for their wives before heading off to war.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
For me, the decision to head off to grad school in Indiana after a year as an English language assistant in Bayeux, France seemed obvious.
—Aimie K. Runyan, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
After Kimmel brought up the fact that her 18-year-old twins Max and Emme are graduating high school imminently and heading off to college, the multihyphenate entertainer fought back tears.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The Malt Shop opened in Parker County in 1958, when two military brothers built it for their wives before heading off to war.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Early vaccination techniques, not yet perfected, did lead to genuine harm, in some cases causing the very infections they were intended to prevent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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In practical terms, according to a person familiar with the discussions surrounding the new requirement, ships may need to use armed security teams on board or equipment designed to prevent hijackings, kidnappings or robberies.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 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 13 Jun. 2026.
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