as in to prevent
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of head off
The vote will head off any data center development in New Orleans East, which has drawn concerns about energy and water consumption from neighbors and local politicians, including Mayor Helena Moreno.
—
Aliana Mediratta, Los Angeles Times, 1 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
Some doctors routinely laser lip lift scars at three to four weeks to reduce pinkness and head off hyperpigmentation.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Aliana Mediratta, Los Angeles Times, 1 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
Some doctors routinely laser lip lift scars at three to four weeks to reduce pinkness and head off hyperpigmentation.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Understanding how these factors can cause colon cancer goes a long way in helping prevent it.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Some were concerned the federal government would take the land or prevent access.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS ON THE BRINK — Senate races to avert third shutdown as DHS deal takes shape.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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In Connecticut and across New England, where talk of electricity tends to turn on highest-in-the-nation rates, the potential cold weather energy emergency faced by customers elsewhere was averted, but that success comes with a warning.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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