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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Recent Examples of head off
But Republican leaders are hoping that document release and a vote on an alternative symbolic measure will head off Massie’s efforts to get his bill to the House floor.
—
Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
The broadcasting deals were revealed in exclusivity to Variety on Monday by global distributor Federation International, as 150 world buyers were heading off to this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre, the world’s largest dedicated market for French audiovisual content.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Even if those details are years away from mattering, having everyone on the same page now can head off confusion (or conflict) later.
—Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
For the first time since kindergarten, Jimmy Snuggerud isn’t headed off to school this year.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head off
Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
The broadcasting deals were revealed in exclusivity to Variety on Monday by global distributor Federation International, as 150 world buyers were heading off to this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre, the world’s largest dedicated market for French audiovisual content.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
Even if those details are years away from mattering, having everyone on the same page now can head off confusion (or conflict) later.
—Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
For the first time since kindergarten, Jimmy Snuggerud isn’t headed off to school this year.
—Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
Verb
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Riley Gaines has lobbied for bills in several states that would prevent biological males who identify as women from competing in women’s sports.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Your feet are sandwiched between pillowy soles and a breathable mesh upper that keeps the air flowing to prevent sweating and blisters.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The universal vaccine recommendation that was in place in this scenario was projected to reduce hospitalizations by 11% and deaths by 13% – essentially averting 104,000 hospitalizations and 9,000 deaths.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
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The vitamin C in the formula is delivered to the skin over the course of 12 hours, averting the risk of irritation from a sudden surge of actives, as antioxidants like niacinamide and pro-glutathione reinforce the skin barrier.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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