avert

[uh-vurt]

verb (used with object)

1. to turn away or aside.

   to avert one's eyes.

2. to ward off; prevent.

   to avert evil;

   to avert an accident.

avert

/ əˈvɜːt /

verb

1. to turn away or aside

   to avert one's gaze

2. to ward off; prevent from occurring

   to avert danger

Other Word Forms

• avertible adjective
• averter noun
• avertable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of avert¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French avertir, ultimately derived from Latin āvertere, equivalent to ā- a- ⁴ + vertere “to turn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of avert¹

C15: from Old French avertir, from Latin āvertere; see _averse

Example Sentences

Cool heads would do everything possible to avert a U.S. government default, and it would take a lot for foreign borrowers to dump Treasuries en masse.

Read more on Barron's

The insurgent right National Rally and the leftist coalition—one of whom presumably could win an election—agree on little but averting cuts to the welfare state.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Stocks rallied late on Tuesday, as investors shrugged off a deadline to avert a U.S. government shutdown and U.S. consumer confidence data were weaker than expected.

Read more on Barron's

Alma is desperate to dodge any backlash from the scandal, so we’re frustrated to experience this story through her averted eyes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, he argued Macron should avert the crisis by naming a prime minister who could put through a budget, guarantee the continued workings of the state, and leave in an "orderly manner".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• avoid 
• deter 
• fend off www.thesaurus.com
• foil 
• forestall 
• halt 
• preclude 
• prevent 
• rule out 
• ward off