head off

verb

headed off; heading off; heads off
Synonyms of head offnext

transitive verb

: to turn back or turn aside : block, prevent
head them off at the pass
attempts to head off the imminent crisis

intransitive verb

: to go to another place
See you later—I'm heading off to work.

Synonyms of head off

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Examples of head off in a Sentence

if we act quickly, we may still be able to head off disaster
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
From there, Adenot headed off to continue an ongoing scientific study by swabbing areas on the exterior of the airlock and her gloves for possible microorganisms. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 In France, for example, officials have drained glacier lakes to head off potential flooding, Gagliardini says. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026 Snell threw two pitches to Hao-Yu Lee and then, after a conversation with home plate umpire Chris Guccione, headed off the field and disappeared down the dugout tunnel. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Generally, the conferences covering the top teams in college sports have all adopted a similar stance in seeking to head off the NFL issue with the college football season set to begin with Week Zero games this weekend. — Aaron Beard, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for head off

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of head off was in 1825

Rhymes for head off

See All Rhymes for head off

Browse Nearby Words

headnote
head off
head of horns
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/head%20off. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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