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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heads off
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
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
-
The First Amendment, which prevents the government from making laws that abridge freedom of expression, has regularly been found to broadly protect free speech when challenges reach the Supreme Court.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Thumbing buttons on the steering wheel then adjusts how much the car’s computer prevents or allows slides, either under hard braking, while cornering or during acceleration.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown.—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The settlement averts what promised to be a high-profile trial.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heads%20off. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share