averted

American  

[uh-vur-tid] / əˈvɜr tɪd /

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.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of avert.

Other Word Forms

• avertedly adverb
• unaverted adjective

Etymology

Origin of averted

avert ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Even if that tragedy was averted, the triumphant rescue underlined the risk American forces still face in Iran.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

As with last spring’s trade war, the Barclays research team, headed up by Ajay Rajadhyaksha, believes the worst-case scenario is likely to be averted.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

"These quiet victories of international cooperation -- the wars prevented, the famine averted, the vital treaties secured -- do not always make the headlines," he said.

From Barron's • Jan. 17, 2026

This year the EU threatened 50% tariffs on American whiskey, though that was eventually averted, which was good news for Kentuckians.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Still averted from her, the young man made a sign of affirmation.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley