avert

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
  2. verb turn away or aside

Etymology

From Middle English averten, adverten, from Old French avertir (“turn, direct, avert; turn the attention, make aware”), from Latin āvertere, from ab + vertō (“to turn”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off

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