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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The government’s survival on Thursday averted that outcome, at least for the time being. Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 In the September 6 TikTok video, Sandra planted herself firmly in the backseat with her eyes averted, giving her owner the cold shoulder. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Rajoelina released a decree attempting to dissolve the country's lower house of parliament in an apparent bid to avert impeachment, the AP reported, noting that lawmakers ignored the move. Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Sutter Health and unionized workers announced a tentative contract agreement Saturday, averting a potential strike across the nonprofit health care provider’s Northern California facilities. Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avert

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of avert was circa 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avert. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

avert

verb
1
: to turn away
avert one's eyes
2
: to keep from happening
averted an accident

More from Merriam-Webster on avert

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!