avert

5 definitions • 8 examples

to prevent something bad from happening:

to avert a crisis/conflict/strike/famine

to avert disaster/economic collapse

to turn away your eyes or thoughts:

I averted my gaze/eyes while he dressed.

We tried to avert our thoughts from our massive financial problems.

to prevent something bad from happening; avoid:

The last-minute agreement averted renewed fighting.

to turn away your eyes or thoughts:

The shy man was standing before me, his eyes averted.

to prevent something bad from happening:

avert a crisis/disaster He argued that the way to avert an economic crisis is for individuals to follow their usual spending habits.

avert industrial action/a strike By law, the president may appoint a board to avert a strike that could result in widespread interruption of U.S. rail service.