Synonyms

avoid avert stave_off ward_off obviate fend_off deflect debar

Examples

"Let's avoid a confrontation" "head off a confrontation" "avert a strike"

Used in print

In an apparent effort to head_off such a rival primary slate , Mr._Wagner talked by telephone yesterday with Representative_Charles_A._Buckley , the_Bronx Democratic leader , and with Joseph_T._Sharkey , the Brooklyn Democratic leader .

Since Laos is of no_more purely military value to Moscow itself than it is to Washington , this approach might be expected to head_off Mr._Khrushchev for_the_moment .

Langer would have to be headed_off , whether he knew where he was going or not .

Related terms

prevent obviation