AVERTS Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

averts

verb

present tense third-person singular of avert

as in prevents

to keep from happening by taking action in advance her careful planning averted disaster

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of averts But multiple studies have shown the flu vaccine reduces the disease’s severity and averts hospitalizations and deaths. — Lena H. Sun, Washington Post, 4 Oct. 2026 At every save point, the game forces James to stare at his reflection, and after the story’s plot twist, James averts his eyes, unable to face his own guilt. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026 The author's experience shows caution, though slower, averts problems, contrasting with industry's rapid deployments that often encounter issues. — Shannon McKeen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The deal averts a ballot referendum that backers from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association said would’ve reigned in expansive local real estate taxes. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 The catastrophies that our heroine averts are awfully small potatoes — a bulldozer running amok, an amusement park ride speeding out of control, some prankish teenagers scheming to turn the girl’s shower into a steambath. — Arthur Knight, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 For now and unless Williams changes his mind again, the move averts a potential historic litigation where Washington planned to sue Williams over his plan to switch schools. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Today’s agreement, struck on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, averts another escalation of tensions between the world’s two great powers. — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025 Critics also said that the 11th hour change will further complicate efforts to reach a deal that averts a shutdown. — Erin Doherty, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for averts

prevents

Verb

Users were likely restricted from properly spelling out such words because, by design, the platform prevents emoji from being used more than once in reaction to a post.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In addition to being barred from ever owning livestock again, Barr’s plea agreement prevents him from owning or living with any type of animal for 15 years, according to PETA.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of prevents

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averting

averts

aves

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“Averts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/averts. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of averts

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