Synonyms of heading off

heading off

verb

present participle of head off

as in preventing

to keep from happening by taking action in advance

if we act quickly, we may still be able to head off disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preventing
• averting
• staving off
• precluding
• avoiding
• obviating
• helping
• forestalling
• interfering (with)
• providing
• escaping
• warding (off)
• fending (off)
• anticipating
• compensating (for)
• making up (for)
• saving
• shaking
• neutralizing
• nullifying
• evading
• deterring
• impeding
• thwarting
• hindering
• hampering
• retarding
• deflecting
• prohibiting
• frustrating
• blocking
• negating
• eluding
• forbidding
• stalling
• offsetting
• baffling
• shunning
• stopping
• eschewing
• balking
• foiling
• counteracting
• checking
• inhibiting
• ducking
• circumventing
• counterbalancing
• dodging
• barring
• checkmating
• shirking
• arresting
• halting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisting
• aiding
• abetting
• facilitating
• smoothing
• easing
• promoting
• leaving
• advancing
• forwarding
• encouraging
• fostering
• permitting
• furthering
• letting
• allowing
• cultivating
• nurturing
• unclogging

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of heading off

After high school, the plan was for Jonah Neal to work at Sam's Club and take a gap year before heading off to college. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 13 July 2026

Starting this month, a working adult in their mid-30s seeking to upgrade their skills will have access to the same source of federal financial aid that is available to a high school graduate heading off to a four-year degree institution in the fall. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

The Friends mainstay and Inland Empire star were married in their backyard in front of a crowd of their A-list pals, before heading off to their Bora Bora honeymoon. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026

Much of the young cast remained in Hollywood, though some took breaks to experience young-adult milestones, like heading off to college. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Local outfitters can provide the essentials—just pack your sunscreen and a cooler full of your favorite refreshments before heading off to one of these popular destinations. — Kelsey Yandura, Midwest Living, 17 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

Both teams are looking for a healthy seven-game series, but the Knicks seeing their best scorer heading off the court early isn't the way the Eastern Conference champions wanted to kick off their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 against these same Spurs. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026