verb
avert
uh-VURT
verb
1
To prevent something bad from happening.
"Quick thinking by the crew averted a serious accident."
"The last-minute deal averted a strike."
2
To turn one's eyes or attention away from something.
"She averted her gaze as the scene grew too graphic."
How to Use Avert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stop something bad from happening, or to look away from something.
Common pairings
avert disaster
avert one's eyes
avert a crisis
Word Forms
averted past tense, averts singular
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Quick thinking by the crew _____ a serious accident.
Etymology
From Old French avertir, from Latin avertere, "to turn away," from ab- plus vertere, "to turn."