Synonyms of head off

head off

verb

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

• prevent
• avert
• stave off
• preclude
• avoid
• help
• obviate
• forestall
• escape
• provide
• interfere (with)
• anticipate
• ward (off)
• fend (off)
• make up (for)
• save
• compensate (for)
• shake
• evade
• thwart
• nullify
• deter
• neutralize
• hinder
• impede
• retard
• hamper
• offset
• stop
• balk
• deflect
• negate
• block
• prohibit
• elude
• shun
• stall
• frustrate
• forbid
• eschew
• foil
• circumvent
• counteract
• check
• bar
• counterbalance
• duck
• arrest
• inhibit
• dodge
• halt
• shirk
• checkmate
• baffle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aid
• assist
• facilitate
• ease
• forward
• smooth
• promote
• advance
• encourage
• further
• let
• leave
• permit
• foster
• cultivate
• abet
• allow
• unclog
• nurture

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of head off

Deth will travel back in time to the 1980s to head off Whistler’s attempts to assassinate futuristic officials via the butterfly effect… by transporting his consciousness into the body of an ancestor and partying with a totally punk-rock Helen Hunt. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024

As things wrap up, cowboy Ryan (Ian Bohen) apologizes to country star Abby (Lainey Wilson) and heads off with her for life on the road. —William Earl, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024

At this point, the United States must instead try again to directly engage China and Russia not only as nuclear adversaries to be deterred but also as potential collaborators in a final attempt to head off nuclear anarchy. —Lewis A. Dunn, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2024

In Interstellar, the thematic fulcrum on which the whole movie turns is a series of scenes where our hero Coop (McConaughey) says good-bye to his 10-year-old daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy) in her room before heading off to space for one last mission. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024