as in preventing
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 heading off
Local outfitters can provide the essentials—just pack your sunscreen and a cooler full of your favorite refreshments before heading off to one of these popular destinations.
—
Kelsey Yandura, Midwest Living, 17 June 2026
The book ends with Cantrell heading off toward Maine to restart his reclusive life.
—Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
News at the second annual ball for Translatable, a non-profit organization started by the 19-year-old and her dad to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth, Zaya opened up about her first year at college, sharing some of the advice that her dad gave her before heading off to college.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
The percentage of high-school graduates heading off to college will continue to decline.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
Both teams are looking for a healthy seven-game series, but the Knicks seeing their best scorer heading off the court early isn't the way the Eastern Conference champions wanted to kick off their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 against these same Spurs.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
Three-time state Division 4 cross country champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla High School is looking to win her first gold medal on the track before heading off to Stanford.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The Malt Shop opened in Parker County in 1958, when two military brothers built it for their wives before heading off to war.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
As Cal and Belle are being shot at, Kayce, who just turned down Tom’s offer to buy his East Camp ranch, is riding off into the sunset with his new love interest, Weaver’s daughter Dolly (Ellyn Jameson), and Kayce’s son Tate is heading off with Tom — neither aware of the threat lurking ahead.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Kelsey Yandura, Midwest Living, 17 June 2026
The book ends with Cantrell heading off toward Maine to restart his reclusive life.
—Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2026
News at the second annual ball for Translatable, a non-profit organization started by the 19-year-old and her dad to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth, Zaya opened up about her first year at college, sharing some of the advice that her dad gave her before heading off to college.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
The percentage of high-school graduates heading off to college will continue to decline.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 9 June 2026
Both teams are looking for a healthy seven-game series, but the Knicks seeing their best scorer heading off the court early isn't the way the Eastern Conference champions wanted to kick off their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 against these same Spurs.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
Three-time state Division 4 cross country champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla High School is looking to win her first gold medal on the track before heading off to Stanford.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
The Malt Shop opened in Parker County in 1958, when two military brothers built it for their wives before heading off to war.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026
As Cal and Belle are being shot at, Kayce, who just turned down Tom’s offer to buy his East Camp ranch, is riding off into the sunset with his new love interest, Weaver’s daughter Dolly (Ellyn Jameson), and Kayce’s son Tate is heading off with Tom — neither aware of the threat lurking ahead.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heading off
Verb
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Clark finished with 21 points, forcing Toronto to respect her scoring ability and preventing defenders from keying solely on her passing.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
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The maggots are thought to secrete various antibacterial compounds to ward off pathogenic bacteria and block biofilms from forming, overall preventing secondary infection.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
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The union representing roughly 2,000 hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium announced a tentative contract agreement Tuesday, averting a potential strike days before the venue hosts its first FIFA World Cup match.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heading%20off. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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