as in prevents
to keep from happening by taking action in advance
her careful planning averted disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of averts
The author's experience shows caution, though slower, averts problems, contrasting with industry's rapid deployments that often encounter issues.
—
Shannon McKeen,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes.
—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
The catastrophies that our heroine averts are awfully small potatoes — a bulldozer running amok, an amusement park ride speeding out of control, some prankish teenagers scheming to turn the girl’s shower into a steambath.
—
Arthur Knight,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Today’s agreement, struck on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, averts another escalation of tensions between the world’s two great powers.
—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown.
—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
The settlement averts what promised to be a high-profile trial.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
18 Aug. 2025
Today's ruling averts that torturous outcome.
—
Tobias Meyjes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Shannon McKeen,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes.
—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2026
The catastrophies that our heroine averts are awfully small potatoes — a bulldozer running amok, an amusement park ride speeding out of control, some prankish teenagers scheming to turn the girl’s shower into a steambath.
—
Arthur Knight,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Today’s agreement, struck on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, averts another escalation of tensions between the world’s two great powers.
—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown.
—
Erin Doherty,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
The settlement averts what promised to be a high-profile trial.
—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
18 Aug. 2025
Today's ruling averts that torturous outcome.
—
Tobias Meyjes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for averts
prevents
Verb
-
Outline a proposal, then schedule a brief meeting to align expectations with a manager, because clarity now prevents heavier repairs later.
-
The active ingredient, proanthocyanidins, prevents UTIs by counteracting bacteria.
Cite this Entry
“Averts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/averts. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
