as in prevention
the act or practice of keeping something from happening
the averting of forest fires can be helped by the clearing of dry underbrush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in preventing
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
her careful planning averted disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of averting
Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Scientists have played a critical role alongside diplomats in averting a civilization-disrupting nuclear weapons disaster for the past 75 years.
—J. Xavier Prochaska, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Practices for averting death are based on the theory that human lives exist due to the coming together of natural, supernatural, human and divine elements.
—Jue Liang, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
In some ways, the moment was a replay of 1977, but this time Woodruff looked directly at Walker, instead of averting his eyes.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Comfort says there is no single formula for averting conflict, but Crisis Group has learned important lessons in its three decades.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Scientists have played a critical role alongside diplomats in averting a civilization-disrupting nuclear weapons disaster for the past 75 years.
—J. Xavier Prochaska, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Practices for averting death are based on the theory that human lives exist due to the coming together of natural, supernatural, human and divine elements.
—Jue Liang, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
In some ways, the moment was a replay of 1977, but this time Woodruff looked directly at Walker, instead of averting his eyes.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
Comfort says there is no single formula for averting conflict, but Crisis Group has learned important lessons in its three decades.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for averting
Noun
-
The fire department says this is about prevention, not enforcement.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
While there is no cure for the disease, shelters say proper cleaning protocols can help control its spread, and vaccination remains the most effective form of prevention.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
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Awareness over new laws designed for protection and legislation that stops short of holding websites and social media platforms accountable have posed hurdles to preventing the harm.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Averting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/averting. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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