avert

Meaning

1. (transitive) To turn aside or away.
2. (transitive) To ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of.
3. (archaic, intransitive) To turn away.

Synonyms

prevent

turn away

avoid

ward off

stave off

evade

deflect

dodge

steer clear of

elude

shirk

duck

🦆

sidestep

forfend

block

forefend

obviate

divert

circumvent

preclude

head off

stop

🛑

fend off

deter

sidetrack

debar

hinder

forestall

defend

refrain from

fend

arrest

shunt

turn

drive back

impede

inhibit

dissuade

keep

disincline

discourage

blockade

destroy

avoidance

delay

bilk

foreclose

forbid

foil

decorate

Translations

evitar

abwenden

prévenir

evitare

evitar

détourner

umgehen

éviter

vermeiden

ausweichen

prevenire

entgehen

prevenir

verhindern

meiden

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈvɝt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: averten

In summary

From Middle English averten, adverten, from Old French avertir (“turn, direct, avert; turn the attention, make aware”), from Latin āvertere, from ab + vertō (“to turn”).