Verb
- 1. debar, forefend, forfend, obviate, deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, ward off, prevent, forestall, foreclose, preclude, forbid
- usage: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
- 2. avert, turn away, turn
- usage: turn away or aside; "They averted their eyes when the King entered"
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