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
The worst-case scenario for Rakuten Bank would be to overpay for its securities and card segments, but direct intervention by Mizuho could avert that, Jefferies analysts added.
—Justina Lee, CNBC, 18 May 2026
But Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats voted to advance the bill, and the shutdown was averted.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The strike started early Saturday after 11th-hour talks to avert the walkout failed.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
In North Carolina, lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill April 30 to fully fund Medicaid through the end of this fiscal year on June 30, to avert a looming $319 million shortfall.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for avert
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Justina Lee, CNBC, 18 May 2026
But Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats voted to advance the bill, and the shutdown was averted.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The strike started early Saturday after 11th-hour talks to avert the walkout failed.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
In North Carolina, lawmakers passed a bipartisan bill April 30 to fully fund Medicaid through the end of this fiscal year on June 30, to avert a looming $319 million shortfall.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for avert
Cite this Entry
“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avert. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
avert
verb1
: to turn away
avert one's eyes
2
: to keep from happening
averted an accident
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