avert

/əˈvɜːt/verb

To turn something aside or away, or to keep something bad from happening.

Example sentences

“She averted her eyes from the wreckage.”
“Quick thinking by the driver averted an accident.”

Two main objects: disasters and eyes. You avert a crisis, or avert your gaze from something unpleasant.

Synonyms for avert

prevent
avoid
ward off
stave off
turn away

Often confused with avert

avert vs divert: divert (verb): To change the direction of something, sending it along a different path.

Related words

avidFull of enthusiasm or eager interest in something.avariceAn extreme and selfish greed for money or possessions.babyA very young child, from birth until around the time it learns to walk.authorizeTo officially give someone the right or power to do something.babysitterSomeone who looks after children for a short time while their parents or guardians are away.authenticationThe process of proving your identity in order to access a computer system or network.