averted; averting; averts
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
John Gregory Dunne2
: to see coming and ward off : avoid
avert disaster
Synonyms
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
Meanwhile, there’s a diplomatic scramble to avert full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon.
—Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The article describes how an emergency funding bill to avert a government shutdown includes a one-year extension of the Biden administration’s ban on funding UNRWA, the U.N. agency that is the primary distributor of aid to the people of Gaza.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
But corporations aren’t the only ones riding high: The supercharged bottom line of America’s biggest companies may have helped boost the entire country’s economy, keeping people employed, and averting a recession.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
The mayday call provided a few precious moments to close the bridge and likely prevented more cars from being on the span, averting the loss of many more lives.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Maritime experts said there was most likely little the crew could have done to avert catastrophe.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Petersen said some brands pushed to extend the contract expiration date in an effort to avert labor unrest around the Olympics, but the union declined.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Why time is running out to avert it, despite agreement on DHS funding
If the package is passed by both chambers, the government will be funded through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024
The Butch Lewis Act averted a potential meltdown of the P.B.G.C. multiemployer insurance fund, which was facing a $65 billion shortfall and insolvency as early as 2025.
—Mark Miller, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
The article describes how an emergency funding bill to avert a government shutdown includes a one-year extension of the Biden administration’s ban on funding UNRWA, the U.N. agency that is the primary distributor of aid to the people of Gaza.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
But corporations aren’t the only ones riding high: The supercharged bottom line of America’s biggest companies may have helped boost the entire country’s economy, keeping people employed, and averting a recession.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
The mayday call provided a few precious moments to close the bridge and likely prevented more cars from being on the span, averting the loss of many more lives.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Maritime experts said there was most likely little the crew could have done to avert catastrophe.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Petersen said some brands pushed to extend the contract expiration date in an effort to avert labor unrest around the Olympics, but the union declined.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024
Why time is running out to avert it, despite agreement on DHS funding
If the package is passed by both chambers, the government will be funded through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024
The Butch Lewis Act averted a potential meltdown of the P.B.G.C. multiemployer insurance fund, which was facing a $65 billion shortfall and insolvency as early as 2025.
—Mark Miller, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'avert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing avert
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Cite this Entry
“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avert. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
avert
verb1
: to turn away
avert one's eyes
2
: to keep from happening
averted an accident
More from Merriam-Webster on avert
Nglish: Translation of avert for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of avert for Arabic Speakers
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