avert

/əˈvʌrt/
/əˈvʌt/
IPA guide

Other forms: averted; averting; averts

To avert is to turn away or to prevent. You might avert your gaze or avert a disaster — either way, you are avoiding something.

The verb avert comes from Latin roots that mean "to turn away from." Averting has that sense of deflecting, turning away, or preventing something (usually bad) from happening. You might put salt on an icy sidewalk to avert accidents, or you might avert a toddler's meltdown by supplying a lollipop.

Definitions of avert
  1. verb
    turn away or aside
    “They averted their eyes when the King entered”
    synonyms: turn away
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    type of:
    turn
    change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
  2. verb
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    “avert a strike”
    synonyms: avoid, debar, deflect, fend off, forefend, forfend, head off, obviate, stave off, ward off
    see moresee less
    type of:
    forbid, foreclose, forestall, preclude, preempt, prevent
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘avert'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing avert

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Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck

Set during the Great Depression, Steinbeck's classic novel tells the story of shrewd, scheming George and loyal, childlike Lennie. The two farm workers dream of owning their own land but must struggle merely to survive.

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Whether you're hoping to improve your comprehension of reading assignments or simply looking to increase your word knowledge, our lists of essential, high-frequency words will put you on the path to vocabulary success. Here are links to our lists for the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8, List 9, List 10

"Of Mice and Men"

Here are 100 key words for understanding John Steinbeck’s 1937 tragic novel "Of Mice and Men" -- set during the Great Depression in California.

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