averted; averting; averts
1
: to turn away or aside (the eyes, one's gaze, etc.) in avoidance
I found the sight so grotesque that I had to avert my eyes …—
John Gregory Dunne
John Gregory Dunne2
: to see coming and ward off : avoid
avert disaster
Examples of avert in a Sentence
He sped up and averted an accident.
The diplomatic talks narrowly averted a war.
an attempt to avert a strike at the plant
Recent Examples on the Web
Colorado hasn’t set up the grants to prove that a particular group’s efforts averted a certain number of injuries or deaths, but models that worked in other major cities should be helpful in the Denver area, said Dr. Ned Calonge, the state health department’s chief medical officer.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
In doing so the Red Sox also averted what at one point was looking like a sure three-game sweep.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
Fortunately, Boyle was able to call on a trusted financier, who wired the money within 15 minutes, averting disaster.
—Todd Longwell, Variety, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for avert
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Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
In doing so the Red Sox also averted what at one point was looking like a sure three-game sweep.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
Fortunately, Boyle was able to call on a trusted financier, who wired the money within 15 minutes, averting disaster.
—Todd Longwell, Variety, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for avert
Cite this Entry
“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avert. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
avert
verb1
: to turn away
avert one's eyes
2
: to keep from happening
averted an accident
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