avert Meaning, Definition & Usage
-
verb prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
stave off; debar; avoid; deflect; obviate; head off; forefend; fend off; ward off; forfend.
- Let's avoid a confrontation
- head off a confrontation
- avert a strike
-
verb turn away or aside
turn away.
- They averted their eyes when the King entered
WordNet
A*vert" transitive verb
Etymology
L.Wordforms
Definitions
To turn aside, or away; Milton.as, to ; to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of;avert the eyes from an objectas, how can the danger be "To avert his ire."averted ?When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth avert them from the church. Bacon.
Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. Prior.
A*vert" intransitive verb
Definitions
To turn away. ArchaicCold and averting from our neighbor's good. Thomson.