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.
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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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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 9 Jun. 2026.
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