avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

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

Synonyms

• prevent

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

Since 1974, vaccination campaigns have averted 154 million deaths, including 146 million among children younger than 5 years old, of whom 101 million were infants younger than a year old. —Bernadette Boden Albala, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

They also were estimated to avert $540 billion in direct costs. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown. —Erin Doherty, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025

Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing avert

• avert one's eyes

Rhymes for avert

• alert
• assert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt
• revert

Kids Definition

avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

1

: to turn away

avert one's eyes

2

: to keep from happening

averted an accident