as in prevents
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 heads off
But the Celebrating Gustavo shows are sure to be highlights before Dudamel packs his baton and heads off to his new post as the head of the New York Philharmonic.
—
Peter Larsen, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
From there, however, the video leaves The Doors’ native SoCal and heads off around the world to draw upon musical contributions from more than 20 musicians and dancers from eight different countries.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Before then, William heads off solo to Brazil for a week around his innovative environmental awards, the Earthshot Prize.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Penn State fans made that abundantly clear Saturday by arriving uncharacteristically late to the game and booing their heads off when the game ended.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Then, when the Patriots bulked up and played base personnel (four defensive backs), Smith threw it over their heads off play-action.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Dylan then heads off to Europe in October for a long run of shows across much of the continent.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2025
After another commercial break, Flair chopped Chelsea time and again as fans wooed their heads off.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Peter Larsen, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
From there, however, the video leaves The Doors’ native SoCal and heads off around the world to draw upon musical contributions from more than 20 musicians and dancers from eight different countries.
—Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Before then, William heads off solo to Brazil for a week around his innovative environmental awards, the Earthshot Prize.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Penn State fans made that abundantly clear Saturday by arriving uncharacteristically late to the game and booing their heads off when the game ended.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Then, when the Patriots bulked up and played base personnel (four defensive backs), Smith threw it over their heads off play-action.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Dylan then heads off to Europe in October for a long run of shows across much of the continent.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2025
After another commercial break, Flair chopped Chelsea time and again as fans wooed their heads off.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heads off
Verb
-
Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty Images Four years of war between Russia and Ukraine are beginning to take their toll on the countries' demographics as the conflict puts women off — or prevents them — from starting or expanding their families.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Using your bathroom fan properly prevents mold, peeling paint, and structural damage caused by lingering moisture.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Corps project averts potential catastrophic flooding that could lay siege to about 475,000 residents, California and the nation, according to the government’s court documents.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heads%20off. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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