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 of avert

• 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

Old-World purists, avert your eyes. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 June 2026

The lack of risk-taking has helped keep a lid on financial flows, while supply levers have averted the worst hit to the market. —Devika Krishna Kumar, Fortune, 6 June 2026

During the crisis, all crews and firefighters could do was spray cool water on the tank, hoping that by cooling it down, tragedy could be averted. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

The electric-vehicle maker’s accord with three workers was disclosed Wednesday in a court filing, averting a series of trials that were set to start earlier this week in state court in Oakland. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

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