averted

[ uh-vur-tid ]

adjective

1. turned away or aside:

   The angle of the head, the averted eyes, and the position of the mouth all serve to give up our secrets because they so easily reveal our feelings.

2. warded off; prevented:

   An averted foreign-policy disaster is often invisible, so the officers responsible often miss out on professional recognition.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of avert ( def ).

Other Words From

• a·vert·ed·ly adverb
• un·a·vert·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of averted¹

avert ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

“I did go on social media, but I’ve averted a doomscroll.”

From Los Angeles Times

Researchers found that because the screening programme stopped TB circulating so widely in the city, in the following five years an estimated 4,599 cases were averted, saving countless lives.

From BBC

Can wider war between Iran and Israel still be averted?

From Los Angeles Times

And there is still time for meaningful action on climate change, as the crisis has not degenerated to the point where absolute catastrophe cannot be averted.

From Salon

Workers at Disneyland have voted to ratify a deal that averted a potential strike, according to unions representing staffers at the Anaheim theme park.

From Los Angeles Times