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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heading off
Three-time state Division 4 cross country champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla High School is looking to win her first gold medal on the track before heading off to Stanford.
—
Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
As Cal and Belle are being shot at, Kayce, who just turned down Tom’s offer to buy his East Camp ranch, is riding off into the sunset with his new love interest, Weaver’s daughter Dolly (Ellyn Jameson), and Kayce’s son Tate is heading off with Tom — neither aware of the threat lurking ahead.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Tate is thrilled to be heading off on a private plane fishing trip with family friend, rich rancher Tom Weaver (the always-great Chris Mulkey).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2026
As for what is next, Chilimigras is planning to take the universal bar exam in the summer before heading off to attend Northwestern University in Chicago to get an advanced tax law degree, according to WWLTV.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Zoey Smith is a senior preparing to graduate from the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber before heading off to Howard University.
—Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Before heading off to shower and change for the Barranquilla show, Balvin assessed his expectations for his beloved Colombian football team at the World Cup.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
Before heading off to shower and change for the Barranquilla show, Balvin assessed his expectations for his beloved Colombian football team at the World Cup.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
As Cal and Belle are being shot at, Kayce, who just turned down Tom’s offer to buy his East Camp ranch, is riding off into the sunset with his new love interest, Weaver’s daughter Dolly (Ellyn Jameson), and Kayce’s son Tate is heading off with Tom — neither aware of the threat lurking ahead.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Tate is thrilled to be heading off on a private plane fishing trip with family friend, rich rancher Tom Weaver (the always-great Chris Mulkey).
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 May 2026
As for what is next, Chilimigras is planning to take the universal bar exam in the summer before heading off to attend Northwestern University in Chicago to get an advanced tax law degree, according to WWLTV.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Zoey Smith is a senior preparing to graduate from the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber before heading off to Howard University.
—Nikki Dementri, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Before heading off to shower and change for the Barranquilla show, Balvin assessed his expectations for his beloved Colombian football team at the World Cup.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 9 May 2026
Before heading off to shower and change for the Barranquilla show, Balvin assessed his expectations for his beloved Colombian football team at the World Cup.
—Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heading off
Verb
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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
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Kim has called for creating a public disaster insurance program and advocated for preventing companies from raising rates after someone files a home or auto insurance claim.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The electric-vehicle maker’s accord with three workers was disclosed Wednesday in a court filing, averting a series of trials that were set to start earlier this week in state court in Oakland.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
4 June 2026
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Standing by a jetty where undrinkable water gets discharged back into the Pacific from the Carlsbad plant, McDonough says aggressive conservation by farms as well as urban water recycling will go much further toward averting taps from running dry.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heading%20off. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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