avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

averted; averting; averts

transitive verb

1

: to turn away or aside (the eyes, one's gaze, etc.) in avoidance

I found the sight so grotesque that I had to avert my eyes …

—John Gregory Dunne

2

: to see coming and ward off : avoid

avert disaster

Synonyms

• forestall
• head off
• help
• obviate
• preclude
• prevent
• stave off

Examples of avert in a Sentence

He sped up and averted an accident.

The diplomatic talks narrowly averted a war.

an attempt to avert a strike at the plant

Recent Examples on the Web

One juror frequently averted his eyes from the screen as a video from April 12, 2023 was shown. —Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024

However, unlike other social media platforms, in the last year Twitch has largely averted controversies involving Israel and Gaza. —Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

The union, the Illinois Nurses Association, and UI Health have additional negotiating sessions planned before Nov. 13, meaning a strike may still be averted. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2024

But by many projections, the world may not be able to stay below the 1.5°C threshold and avert potential climatic disaster by reducing Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions alone. —Rob Van Straten, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French avertir, from Latin avertere, from ab- + vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

circa 1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing avert

• avert one's eyes

Kids Definition

avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

1

: to turn away

avert one's eyes

2

: to keep from happening

averted an accident