head off

verb

Definition of head offnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 head off With his new Nebraska collegiate ball cap and now headed off to university, the sleeper agent has some vital decisions to make way beyond declaring a major. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026 At one point, the owner can be seen pointing in a different direction, then heads off to help another customer. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026 Unionized staff at the Whitney Museum in New York ratified its second contract Sunday night, hours ahead a strike deadline, narrowly heading off a disruption to the opening of a forthcoming Roy Lichtenstein retrospective. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Earlier this year, Newsom called for local elections clerks to count ballots faster to head off misinformation ahead of the June 2 primary. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for head off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head off
  1. prevent
  2. avert
Verb
  • Riyadh said the discussions were aimed at keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in hostilities.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Such a concentration of power could prevent the effective maintenance of checks and balances on policy decisions by institutions.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of prevent
Verb
  • For the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, speaking up is not just about averting disorder, but about establishing a different civic order.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But that crisis was averted on Sunday, as Hafley and the Dolphins picked up their first win of the 2026 NFL season against the New York Jets, 28-25, at MetLife Stadium.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of avert

Browse Nearby Words

headmost
head off
head-on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20off. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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