as in averted
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 headed off
Last May, the Ghostbusters actress shared another rare glimpse of Vivian as the high schooler headed off to her prom.
—
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
The environmentally responsible growth boundaries, approved by voters in 1990 and renewed in 2006, headed off the threat of development up the slopes of Mount Diablo and on farmland and scenic ridges.
—East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s how, last night, the best golfer most of us have ever seen slinked out of a Florida jail shortly before midnight and headed off into an uncertain future.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Slotkin said her legislation could have headed off that split.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
When Riley and the Grinch headed off to USC, Johnson decided to follow their lead and served as a graduate assistant from 2022 to 2023.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
With Joe Ryan and Taj Bradley headed off to compete in the World Baseball Classic next month, the Twins should get an extended look at some of their rotation options.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Some of us headed off to bed; for others, another movie beckoned.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
The Moment lands between a celebrity thriller, reality television, and a pop concert documentary that’s headed off the rails.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
The environmentally responsible growth boundaries, approved by voters in 1990 and renewed in 2006, headed off the threat of development up the slopes of Mount Diablo and on farmland and scenic ridges.
—East Bay Times Editorial, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
That’s how, last night, the best golfer most of us have ever seen slinked out of a Florida jail shortly before midnight and headed off into an uncertain future.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
Slotkin said her legislation could have headed off that split.
—Kevin Collier, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
When Riley and the Grinch headed off to USC, Johnson decided to follow their lead and served as a graduate assistant from 2022 to 2023.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
With Joe Ryan and Taj Bradley headed off to compete in the World Baseball Classic next month, the Twins should get an extended look at some of their rotation options.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Some of us headed off to bed; for others, another movie beckoned.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
The Moment lands between a celebrity thriller, reality television, and a pop concert documentary that’s headed off the rails.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headed off
Verb
-
Crisis was quickly averted before any photos were taken as the milliner reoriented his creation atop her head.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
Crisis averted, Tommy agrees to stay at Ludlow.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The judges also questioned Texas Solicitor General William Peterson over his arguments that the House is prevented from using proxy voting under the quorum clause, questioning if physical presence is needed to satisfy that requirement.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
-
According to Variety, the clause prevented any depictions or mentions of Chandler in any dramatization of Jackson’s life.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headed off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headed%20off. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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