ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›A›avert
ISEE/SSATeasy
avert
to prevent something harmful from happening
Synonyms
- prevent
- avoid
- forestall
Antonyms
- cause
- allow
- provoke
avert in a sentence
Careful planning helped avert a delay at the station.
The backup generator helped avert a shutdown.
Where it comes from
From Latin avertere 'to turn away' (ab- 'away' + vertere 'to turn').
Memory hook
To avert trouble is to turn it away before it happens.
Word parts
- vert/vers — turn
avert: a- (away) + vert (turn)
Read it in context
- Ink Before Dawn History