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

The mayor intervened at the last minute with £30m of Greater London Authority funding to avert a Tube strike.

From BBC

By doing so, however, the Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter averted a certain controversy and cries that his accomplishment was tainted.

From Los Angeles Times

The two countries have continued talks to try and strike a deal and avert ruinous tariffs and a trade war.

From BBC

Ultimately, aid agencies have been repeating for months that in order to avert starvation and famine, Gaza needs to be flooded with aid entering by road and currently Israel still imposes restrictions.

From BBC

However, on Tuesday the UN warned that the "trickle of aid" entering Gaza was insufficient to "avert widespread starvation".

From BBC

Related Words

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