as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
her careful planning averted disaster
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of avert
The new deal averted a potential strike at various DHL facilities.
—
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
This timeframe provided the stability and predictability needed for long-term planning and averted the recurring debates about keeping the mayor in charge of the city’s schools.
—Dennis Walcott, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Like in the Rangers’ final exhibition game Tuesday, when a Jack Leiter pitch was reversed from a ball to a strike, meaning a walk became a strikeout and a potential unraveling was thus averted.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 25, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Those federal funds averted over 12,000 evictions in Milwaukee.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avert
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2026
This timeframe provided the stability and predictability needed for long-term planning and averted the recurring debates about keeping the mayor in charge of the city’s schools.
—Dennis Walcott, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
Like in the Rangers’ final exhibition game Tuesday, when a Jack Leiter pitch was reversed from a ball to a strike, meaning a walk became a strikeout and a potential unraveling was thus averted.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 25, Dallas Morning News, 25 Mar. 2026
Those federal funds averted over 12,000 evictions in Milwaukee.
—Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avert
prevent
Verb
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Having legal documents on hand, at a lawyer’s office or in a file cabinet not only provides peace of mind, but can prevent conflict and legal fees when tragedy or challenges arise.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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The president has repeatedly said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the war's top objective.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avert. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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