1. (v.) To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object\; to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as, how can the danger be averted? To avert his ire.

2. (v. i.) To turn away.

about-face anticipate balk bar bear off check debar deflect deter discourage dishearten divert draw aside ease off edge off estop exclude face about fend fend off fly off foil forbid foreclose forestall frustrate gee glance glance off go off halt haw head off help jib keep from keep off make way for move aside obviate pivot preclude prevent prohibit remove repel right-about-face rule out save sheer sheer off shove aside shunt shy shy off side sidestep sidetrack sidle stave off stay steer clear of step aside stop switch thwart transfer turn aside turn away turn back veer veer off volte-face ward ward off wheel whip whirl