From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishaverta‧vert /əˈvɜːt $ -ɜːrt/ ●○○ verb [transitive] 1 PREVENTto prevent something unpleasant from happening The tragedy could have been averted if the crew had followed safety procedures.2 → avert your eyes/gaze etc→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
avert• The information had reached Adamowski and, if it were true, there was no way a scandal could be averted.• The answer may be one or both of these and only a careful rescue package can avert a total disaster.• It may already be too late to avert another disaster.• Fears of large-scale coastal flooding were averted as the fierce winds shifted at the last minute.• And in response, I promise you that we shall do our best to avert it, or at least contain it.• I avert my eyes and wish I were them.• I averted my gaze, taking in a deep breath then just to prove I could.• Talks will be held today in a final attempt to avert strike action.• Using an "automatic train stop" could have averted the disaster.• A pair of University students passing by hastily averted their faces to hide their giggles.• Another world crisis averted through the high art of diplomacy.Origin avert (1300-1400) Old French avertir, from Latin avertere, from ad- “to” + vertere “to turn” 