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
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
This was about avoiding embarrassment, about averting disaster.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
Still, after bashing Republicans for months on the urgency of averting the cost cliff, Democrats would also face their own pressures to swallow the policy changes in order to secure an extension of the subsidies — and relief for millions of Americans.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Besides averting hundreds of thousands of fatalities, reducing malaria by 90% in the continent could boost its GDP by $16 billion a year, the World Health Organization said.
—semafor.com, 14 Nov. 2025
China has agreed to allow the export of chips critical to auto production, averting widespread shutdowns that had been predicted by the industry.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Broadway musicians have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting the possibility of a strike.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the nonprofit health system Sutter Health announced a tentative contract agreement Saturday with unionized workers, averting a potential strike in the Bay Area and Northern California.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
The path to averting a partial government shutdown The Senate is expected to take up the package as soon as next week, with dwindling time to address the remaining funding bills.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
This was about avoiding embarrassment, about averting disaster.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Dec. 2025
Still, after bashing Republicans for months on the urgency of averting the cost cliff, Democrats would also face their own pressures to swallow the policy changes in order to secure an extension of the subsidies — and relief for millions of Americans.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Dec. 2025
Besides averting hundreds of thousands of fatalities, reducing malaria by 90% in the continent could boost its GDP by $16 billion a year, the World Health Organization said.
—semafor.com, 14 Nov. 2025
China has agreed to allow the export of chips critical to auto production, averting widespread shutdowns that had been predicted by the industry.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Broadway musicians have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting the possibility of a strike.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the nonprofit health system Sutter Health announced a tentative contract agreement Saturday with unionized workers, averting a potential strike in the Bay Area and Northern California.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for averting
Noun
-
The grant terminations are also hitting nonprofit groups in Illinois, with leaders of those groups saying the cuts could mean fewer services in Illinois for people struggling with homelessness, substance use disorders and fewer prevention and training programs related to mental health.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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Wildfire prevention is a significant driver of rising power bills in California.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, the anti-static fabric is a quiet finish that makes all the difference, preventing the pants from sticking to your body to ensure maximum comfort and remaining wrinkle-free—a luxury for a frequent traveler at under $50.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
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The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order preventing the board and Cavin from taking any further action in their cases, as well as an injunction restraining Cavin and the board from discriminating against, or retaliating against, Mejia and Smith.—
Clark Kauffman,
Des Moines Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Averting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/averting. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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