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

Instead of fluids, the doctor ordered dopamine to raise the patient’s blood pressure without adding volume—averting what Hart believed could have led to a life-threatening complication. —Hilke Schellmann, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2026

The countries are set for another round of nuclear talks on Tuesday aimed at reaching an agreement and averting a war. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026

On Thursday, Senate Democrats shot down a counterproposal from the White House to keep funding DHS after Friday and avert a partial government shutdown. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026

Continue reading … POLITICS ON THE BRINK — Senate races to avert third shutdown as DHS deal takes shape. —FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 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