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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, a multimillion-dollar ballot battle was averted in 2023 with compromise legislation. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 Listen to this article State lawmakers will again juggle a pair of competing bills aimed at boosting protections for homebuyers or spurring more condo construction — while trying to avert the impasses that killed the parallel efforts last year. Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 20 Feb. 2025 This initiative helped avert potential global famines and boosted incomes for poor farmers, particularly in Asia. A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025 The temporary suspension averts an immediate trade confrontation between the U.S. and Canada, which exchanged $746 billion in goods in 2022. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avert

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of avert was circa 1563

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Cite this Entry

“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avert. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

avert

verb
1
: to turn away
avert one's eyes
2
: to keep from happening
averted an accident

More from Merriam-Webster on avert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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