avert

US /əˈvɝːt/

UK /əˈvɝːt/

1.

turn away (one's eyes or thoughts)

:

•

She averted her gaze from the disturbing scene.

•

He averted his eyes from the bright light.

:

turn away turn aside turn divert deflect shift switch redirect reorient sidetrack

2.

prevent (an undesirable occurrence) from happening

:

•

Timely action can avert a crisis.

•

They took steps to avert the disaster.

:

prevent ward off forestall preclude obviate fend off stave off keep off turn aside turn away