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

As such, and with plenty of time left before the threat becomes a reality, there’s every chance that the worst-case scenario can be averted. —Nimrod Lehavi, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Trump and Vance's last-minute intervention forces Johnson to balance appeasing the president-elect and his allies while renegotiating the bipartisan spending plan and averting a shutdown within days. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

What's in the continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown? —Nikole Killion, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2024

Read more Lawmakers struggle to reach deal to avert government shutdown Congressional negotiators are struggling to reach a deal to keep the government’s lights on past Dec. 20. —Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 16 Dec. 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