[v] turn away or aside; "They averted their eyes when the King entered" [v] prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
avoid, debar, deflect, fend off, head off, obviate, stave off, turn away, ward off
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, gla