HEADING OFF Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

heading off

verb

present participle of head off

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 heading off He was dedicated to the sport and competed regionally and locally in the Midwest, winning competitions before heading off to college. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 This fall, Underscores is heading off on tour in support of Charli xcx—the perfect end to a banner year. — Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026 Giada De Laurentiis’s daughter, Jade, is heading off to college—New York University, specifically—and the chef and her ex-husband Todd Thompson reunited to celebrate the milestone. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 11 Aug. 2026 Finally, heading off to senior year wearing a Care Bears backpack could be a coping mechanism that helps teens deal with fears about the future. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 8 Aug. 2026 Sadly, there are no plans for this sleek beast to be heading off-road outside of mainland China at this stage. — New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026 After sitting down to get her hair done, Martha had just enough time to grout her kitchen floors before heading off to New York City to begin her workday. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 22 July 2026 Yet, with the Gaza death toll exceeding twenty-eight thousand, the amendment had enough support among progressives that Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, asked the White House for help heading off an intraparty feud. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Starting this month, a working adult in their mid-30s seeking to upgrade their skills will have access to the same source of federal financial aid that is available to a high school graduate heading off to a four-year degree institution in the fall. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heading off

Verb

The ability to monitor and identify unwanted behavior by AI agents in real-time or near real-time is critical to preventing another breach like this—perhaps one with even more serious consequences, such as an attack on a bank or hospital.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Leaving the coil uninsulated allows heat and excess current to bypass hot spots, preventing damage and keeping the system stable.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of preventing

Verb

The settlement was reached during a California federal trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users.

— Diana Novak Jones, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
The first step in averting this spiral toward catastrophe is for both Beijing and Washington to bear in mind that these economic tools were not designed as weapons.

— GLORIA XIONG, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of averting

Browse Nearby Words

heading

heading off

headings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heading off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heading%20off. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heading off

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes