avert

[ uh-vurt ]
See synonyms for avert on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to turn away or aside: to avert one's eyes.

  2. to ward off; prevent: to avert evil;to avert an accident.

Origin of avert

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French avertir, ultimately derived from Latin āvertere, equivalent to ā- a-4 + vertere “to turn”

Other words from avert

  • a·vert·er, noun
  • a·vert·i·ble, a·vert·a·ble, adjective

Words Nearby avert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use avert in a sentence

  • He and he alone, they imagined, could avert that dismemberment of which they could not bear to think.

  • Every rail and post was utilized for hitching, and Town-marshal Pease, his star displayed, patrolled the town to avert disorder.

    Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington Kelland
  • Startled and wondering, David dared not long avert his eyes from the opposite bank.

  • Besides, he wanted them to warn the Apaches out of the neighborhood and thus avert from his head the vengeance of Manga Colorada.

    Overland | John William De Forest
  • I fear that any legal proceedings you may resort to will hardly avert the publicity you seem to fear.

    The Talking Horse | F. Anstey

British Dictionary definitions for avert

avert

/ (əˈvɜːt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to turn away or aside: to avert one's gaze

  2. to ward off; prevent from occurring: to avert danger

Origin of avert

1
C15: from Old French avertir, from Latin āvertere; see averse

Derived forms of avert

  • avertible or avertable, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012