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
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Recent Examples of heads off
The recluse toxin binds to the surface of cells and scoots along it like a lawn mower, clipping the heads off molecules on this surface.
—
Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Congress heads off on a two-week recess with no deal.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The agreement approved by Hawk on Friday heads off what prosecutors described as the risk of the conviction being vacated by a higher court, and the subsequent prospect of a new trial that hinges on records, evidence, and witness availability blunted by the passing of four decades.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
John heads off to lunch to try to mend things with Caroline, to whom neither of them has spoken since the party.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Mark Kastelic takes the opening faceoff, wins the all-important draw and heads off the ice, to be replaced by a player presumed to have more offensive chops.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that on February 25, someone cut the blooming heads off all the flowers in Calla Lily Valley.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
Very little for Rihanna, who heads off to the studio instead.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
Congress heads off on a two-week recess with no deal.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The agreement approved by Hawk on Friday heads off what prosecutors described as the risk of the conviction being vacated by a higher court, and the subsequent prospect of a new trial that hinges on records, evidence, and witness availability blunted by the passing of four decades.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026
John heads off to lunch to try to mend things with Caroline, to whom neither of them has spoken since the party.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Mark Kastelic takes the opening faceoff, wins the all-important draw and heads off the ice, to be replaced by a player presumed to have more offensive chops.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that on February 25, someone cut the blooming heads off all the flowers in Calla Lily Valley.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
Very little for Rihanna, who heads off to the studio instead.
—Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heads off
Verb
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Flexi-form technology prevents creasing, while light refracting pigments blur the look of fine lines and texture.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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This removes debounce delay, prevents mechanical wear, and eliminates issues like accidental double-clicking.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 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 9 Apr. 2026.
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