as in to prevent
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
her careful planning averted disaster
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Recent Examples of avert
That crisis ultimately was averted, though, by the mid-November congressional compromise that temporarily reopened the federal government.
—
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Ten New Yorkers have already died on the streets amid record-breaking cold, and the encampment sweeps initiated by Mayor Adams could well prove a critical tool in averting any more needless fatalities.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Senate Democrats and the White House reached a deal to avert a government shutdown Thursday evening.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The Senate failed to advance a measure designed to avert another government shutdown.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avert
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Ten New Yorkers have already died on the streets amid record-breaking cold, and the encampment sweeps initiated by Mayor Adams could well prove a critical tool in averting any more needless fatalities.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Senate Democrats and the White House reached a deal to avert a government shutdown Thursday evening.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The Senate failed to advance a measure designed to avert another government shutdown.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for avert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avert
prevent
Verb
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This formula contains niacinamide to help support hair and skin health, ashwagandha extract to soothe, and biotin to help strengthen hair and prevent breakage.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
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The yen touched its strongest level since October in US trading Tuesday after comments from Japanese officials, including just recently the finance minister, fueled speculation that the government may intervene in the market to prevent the currency from resuming its decline.—
Mia Glass,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Avert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avert. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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