avert
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
To turn away or prevent something, especially something bad or dangerous, from happening.
To avoid or ward off an undesirable event, danger, or conflict; to turn one's eyes or attention away from something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with preventing negative outcomes. Often implies foresight and deliberate action. Less commonly used in the literal sense of 'turning away' (e.g., eyes) than in the figurative sense of 'preventing'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in both varieties; equally common in news/political contexts.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + OBJECT (e.g., avert a crisis)VERB + OBJECT + from + GERUND/NOUN (less common, e.g., avert his eyes from the scene)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Avert one's gaze/eyes.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss risk management (e.g., 'The new policy helped avert a financial collapse.').
Academic
Common in political science, history, and environmental studies to discuss preventing conflicts or disasters.
Everyday
Used in news reports and serious discussions about avoiding problems.
Technical
Used in engineering/safety contexts (e.g., 'The system is designed to avert a catastrophic failure.').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The negotiator worked tirelessly to avert a national rail strike.
- He averted his eyes from the gruesome footage on the news.
American English
- Diplomats are trying to avert a full-scale war in the region.
- She quickly averted her gaze when she saw him crying.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The driver turned quickly to avert an accident.
- She averted her eyes from the bright sun.
- The government took action to avert an economic crisis.
- Quick thinking by the pilot averted a major disaster.
- The treaty was signed to avert future conflicts between the two nations.
- The central bank's intervention successfully averted a liquidity crisis that could have destabilised the entire financial sector.
- He averted his gaze not out of indifference, but out of a profound respect for her privacy in that moment of grief.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an 'AVERTisement' that tries to turn your ATTENTION towards a product. 'Avert' means to turn your attention (or a bad event) AWAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS AN OBJECT MOVING TOWARDS YOU / PREVENTION IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER OR DIVERSION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'предотвращать' (to prevent) which is broader. 'Avert' often implies a threat is imminent and actively countered. Avoid using it as a direct translation for 'избегать' (to avoid) in casual contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I averted to go there.' (Correct: 'I avoided going there.')
- Incorrect: 'She averted the question.' (Weaker usage; 'evaded' or 'avoided' is better.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'avert'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Avert' implies turning away an imminent threat. 'Prevent' is broader, meaning to stop something from happening at any stage. 'Avoid' means to keep away from or evade something, often through one's own action.
Rarely. Its primary use is to describe preventing negative events. The outcome (safety, peace) is positive, but the action is always directed against a negative.
Yes, especially in formal or literary contexts to describe deliberately looking away, often out of politeness, respect, or discomfort.
Yes, 'aversion' is a related noun, but it means a strong dislike. The act of averting is typically described with the gerund 'averting' (e.g., 'the averting of a crisis').