HEADS OFF Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

heads off

verb

present tense third-person singular of head off

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

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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 Phish’s summer tour continues Saturday night at Fenway again before the band heads off to Denver’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for a tour-ending Labor Day weekend trio of shows. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026 As Prince George heads off to Eton College in September, the prestigious all-boys school has a rule that George’s parents Prince William and Kate Middleton will be a fan of. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 July 2026 And that final moment on the park bench, before Armand and Daniel cut Lestat and Louis’s heads off, their fingers briefly touch. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 July 2026 And the last night before Kimmel heads off on his two-month-long break would not be complete without a Matt Damon sighting. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 June 2026 Before Snow heads off to serve his sentence, President Warnock (Peter Hudson) receives the news that his daughter, Emilie (Maggie Grace), who was investigating issues around MS One, has been taken hostage by the prisoners who have woken up. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2026 The recluse toxin binds to the surface of cells and scoots along it like a lawn mower, clipping the heads off molecules on this surface. — Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026 Congress heads off on a two-week recess with no deal. — ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 The agreement approved by Hawk on Friday heads off what prosecutors described as the risk of the conviction being vacated by a higher court, and the subsequent prospect of a new trial that hinges on records, evidence, and witness availability blunted by the passing of four decades. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heads off

Verb

Specifically, the order prevents the town and its officials from holding a vote on, approving, adopting or taking any action to implement Resolution 26-25 concerning the Circle T Data Center, including at the special meeting underway on Monday.

— Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
These animals are born with a condition that prevents their vertebrae from fully developing.

— Kelly Lambert, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of prevents

Verb

The author's experience shows caution, though slower, averts problems, contrasting with industry's rapid deployments that often encounter issues.

— Shannon McKeen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of averts

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headsmen

heads off

headspring

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“Heads off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heads%20off. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of heads off

verb

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