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

However, an active-duty U.S. Army pilot tells PEOPLE that the goggles may have actually hindered the pilots’ efforts to avert the crash with the airliner. —Maria Pasquini, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025

By upgrading the recall status, the agency seeks to ensure that consumers are adequately informed and aware of the potential health risks, thereby promoting proactive measures to avert potential health impacts. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025

Settlement talks, aimed at averting lengthy and public litigation, are the norm, but crypto companies say the SEC under Gensler has been unwilling to engage in substantive discussions. —Hannah Lang and Chris Prentice, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

California’s salubrious climate, vigorous, entrepreneurial economy and guarantee of reproductive healthcare rights didn’t avert a population decline earlier in this decade. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 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

Kids Definition

avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

1

: to turn away

avert one's eyes

2

: to keep from happening

averted an accident