Synonyms of avert

avert

verb

ə-ˈvərt 

as in to prevent

to keep from happening by taking action in advance

her careful planning averted disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prevent
• forestall
• avoid
• preclude
• obviate
• help
• provide
• head off
• escape
• anticipate
• stave off
• thwart
• save
• deter
• nullify
• neutralize
• evade
• hinder
• impede
• deflect
• shake
• prohibit
• negate
• shun
• frustrate
• forbid
• hamper
• counteract
• elude
• interfere (with)
• retard
• offset
• stop
• balk
• eschew
• circumvent
• inhibit
• halt
• fend (off)
• ward (off)
• block
• stall
• make up (for)
• counterbalance
• compensate (for)
• foil
• checkmate
• shirk
• dodge
• check
• arrest
• baffle
• bar
• duck

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assist
• aid
• facilitate
• promote
• encourage
• ease
• abet
• forward
• advance
• let
• allow
• further
• smooth
• permit
• cultivate
• foster
• leave
• unclog
• nurture

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of avert

Following Jaishankar's comments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political opponents blamed the government for not acting in time to avert the crisis. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

While people in Israel are praising the passengers and the captain as heroes for averting disaster, a broader debate is emerging over government failures that allowed something like this to happen, Lonsdorf says. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026

Each time the door shut behind the man, Shawn had the feeling that some danger had been temporarily dodged, some crisis averted until the next day. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

But multiple studies have shown the flu vaccine reduces the disease’s severity and averts hospitalizations and deaths. — Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2026