avert
/əˈvɜːt/
Group 34Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To turn away eyes or thoughts; to prevent or ward off an undesirable occurrence GRE
Example in Context
Swift diplomatic intervention averted a military confrontation that intelligence agencies had warned could escalate into a regional conflict.
Etymology
To turn away from something undesirable.
- a- (Latin) — away from
- vertere (Latin) — to turn
Memory Aid
🔄Sounds like “a vert”
When you see a giant, scary AARDVARK, you quickly A-VERT your gaze to avoid a heart attack!
Visual Association
🚫A person dramatically turning away from a scary movie scene, hands over eyes.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “avert” mean on the GRE?
avert (verb) means “To turn away eyes or thoughts; to prevent or ward off an undesirable occurrence”. Swift diplomatic intervention averted a military confrontation that intelligence agencies had warned could escalate into a regional conflict.
How to remember “avert” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “avert” sounds like “a vert”. When you see a giant, scary AARDVARK, you quickly A-VERT your gaze to avoid a heart attack!