avert

Avert is a verb with two primary senses. In its physical sense, it means to turn away one’s gaze or body from something. In its figurative sense, it means to prevent something bad from happening, often through deliberate action or precaution. For example, emergency measures can avert a disaster, and a person may avert their eyes from a disturbing image.

The word comes from Old French avertir “to turn away” and ultimately from Latin abvertere “to turn away,” formed from ab- “away” and vertere “to turn.” In English, avert has been used since Middle English with the sense of turning away or preventing.

Avert is a transitive verb and takes a direct object: you can avert a crisis, avert damage, or avert a collision. The phrase avert one’s gaze is also common. The passive form, “a disaster was averted,” is used to describe outcomes. In style, avert is relatively formal and is frequently found in journalism, official reports, and literary prose rather than casual conversation.

Synonyms and related terms include prevent, forestall, stave off, and deter. Averting emphasizes proactive steps to manage risk or danger and is often used when there is an active attempt to avoid an undesirable result, rather than simply avoiding it by luck or chance.