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

But two Mickeys will come in handy when Marshall engages in authoritarian military cosplay, an act of cruelty pits the colonists against the aliens, and mutually assured destruction needs to be averted unless 17 can broker a detente. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025

Now, scientists say that scenario has potentially been averted, and A23a might even be beneficial to the local wildlife. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025

The first big legislative test will be the budget reconciliation bill that will fund much of Trump's agenda, though more pressing will be averting a government shutdown next week. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025

Negotiations to avert a shutdown in less than two weeks are hitting obstacles, leaving no clear path to reaching a spending deal. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for avert

• alert
• assert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt
• revert

Kids Definition

avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

1

: to turn away

avert one's eyes

2

: to keep from happening

averted an accident